Motor Racing
George Russell favoured to win Australian GP and first Drivers’ Championship
Mercedes driver 10/11 for Championship; whilst he’s 1/4 to win season opener in Melbourne
Ahead of the opening contest of the 2026 Formula 1 season, William Hill are favouring Mercedes driver George Russell to win the Australian Grand Prix and go on to clinch his first Drivers’ Championship.
The British driver is odds on (1/4) to claim the Melbourne Grand Prix with his manufacturer Mercedes predicted to scoop the Constructors’ Championship at 4/7.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is next in the betting at 11/2 for glory in Australia, ahead of Charles Leclerc (12/1), Isak Hadjar and Oscar Piastri (Both 16/1), Lewis Hamilton 28/1 and the reigning World Champion Lando Norris is a much longer 33/1 shot. Following a dismal qualifying, four-time World Champion Max Verstappen is a huge 66/1 to win in Australia.
The picture looks similar in the Drivers’ Championship betting, with a slight preference for Russell at 10/11. Verstappen is 9/2, Antonelli is 5/1, whilst the two Ferrari drivers aren’t too far behind with Charles Leclerc priced at 11/2 and Lewis Hamilton 8/1 to make it an eighth Drivers’ Championship. The two McLaren drivers Piastri (12/1) and Norris (16/1) will look to defy the odds.
Mercedes hold all the cards in the constructors’ betting at 4/7. Ferrari may prove the closest challengers at 3/1, ahead of McLaren at 4/1. Red Bull could struggle to challenge despite the generational talent of Verstappen, they’re 12/1 for the team honour.
Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship 2026:
George Russell – 10/11
Max Verstappen – 3/1
Charles Leclerc – 7/2
Lewis Hamilton – 13/2
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 10/1
Lando Norris – 10/1
Oscar Piastri – 10/1
BAR – 66/1
Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship 2026:
Mercedes – 4/7
Ferrari – 3/1
McLaren – 4/2
Red Bull – 12/1
BAR – 100/1
Australian F1 Grand Prix – Race Winner:
George Russell – 1/4
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 11/2
Charles Leclerc – 12/1
Isak Hadjar – 16/1
Oscar Piastri – 16/1
Lewis Hamilton – 28/1
Lando Norris – 33/1
Max Verstappen – 66/1
BAR – 100/1
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “It’s almost time for lights out in Melbourne, and we make George Russell the early favourite ahead of the opening race of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with the Mercedes driver priced at 1/4 to finish the weekend at the top of the podium.
“Russell is 10/11 market leader to claim the 2026 Drivers’ Championship, while Mercedes head the Constructors’ Championship betting at 4/7 as the new regulations come into play.
“In the Australian Grand Prix market, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is next best at 11/2, with Charles Leclerc (12/1), Isak Hadjar and Oscar Piastri (Both 16/1) further back. It could be a long weekend for defending World Champion Lando Norris, who is only given a 33/1 chance of another race win, whilst Max Verstappen is a huge 66/1.
“The Drivers’ Championship betting follows a similar pattern, with Russell (10/11) leading the way from Verstappen (9/2) and Leclerc (11/2), and for the Constructors’, Mercedes (4/7) are given the advantage over Ferrari (3/1), McLaren (4/1) and Red Bull (12/1).”
