Austin Grand Prix F1 Predictions 2026: Verstappen Value At 5/2 To Dominate In Texas?

Max Verstappen is the F1 betting favourite to win the United States Grand Prix this weekend and William Hill News preview the action ahead of Sunday’s race.

Austin Grand Prix Winner Odds

• Max Verstappen – 11/10
• Kimi Antonelli – 9/4
• Lando Norris – 10/1
• Charles Leclerc – 10/1
• George Russell – 11/1
• Lewis Hamilton – 12/1

Verstappen, who has won back-to-back races and dominated in Singapore last time out, is trailed by Kimi Antonelli in the latest markets.

Austin Grand Prix Best Bets

• Max Verstappen fastest qualifier and race winner (5/2)
• Red Bull both drivers top 6 finish (4/5)
• Carlos Sainz Jr. top 10 finish (8/1)

Verstappen has been in a league of his own over the last two races. He got pole and won in Malaysia and Singapore and has held a significant advantage over the Mercedes and Ferraris.

Winner of four of the last five Grands Prix in Austin, we like taking Verstappen to continue his pole-and-win streak at 5/2.

Isack Hadjar’s 10th place in Singapore was an anomaly. The Frenchman hadn’t finished outside the top six since his retirement in Miami.

The pace is there in the Red Bull for Hadjar to add another top six placing – he may well have extended his streak if he didn’t have to start from the pitlane in Singapore.

Carlos Sainz Jr. finished second in this Grand Prix two years ago. He also got his Ferrari on the podium in 2023. The Spaniard has had six other points finishes at this circuit across Renault, Toro Rosso, and McLaren.

It’s been a difficult season for Sainz and Williams, but he got a point in Baku three races ago and absolutely loves this track.

Potential Decider

Antonelli could win the title this weekend, though he needs to stand atop the podium with George Russell outside the top nine and Lewis Hamilton lower than fifth. Mercedes are locks to eventually win the Constructors’ Championship, but it’s not going to happen this weekend.

Verstappen’s surge is too little too late for his own title challenge, yet it has reignited Red Bull’s hopes of a top three finish in the team standings.

McLaren, who currently hold a seven-point lead over Red Bull, are bringing a number of upgrades this weekend after a disappointing run of races.

The Track

Competed over 3.426 miles, the Circuit of the Americas has 20 corners and provides a thorough test of driver and car alike. The start/finish straight has a significant elevation change heading into the first corner where we can expect some chaos on the opening lap.

Purpose-built for F1, COTA took inspiration from many old tracks around the world. Maggots and Beckets influenced the Esses, with Istanbul, Hockenheim, and Bahrain all inspiring parts of the final sector of the lap.

The long straight between turns 11 and 12 is a key overtaking opportunity if cars can stay close enough through the quicker corners in the first half of the lap. A balanced setup is required to excel throughout the lap, with a good mix of corner speeds across the 3.426 miles.

This weekend, we also have a slight risk of rain on Sunday to potentially spice things up.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*