Motor Racing
F1 Drivers’ Championship Odds: Russell leads Verstappen in the betting
The 2026 Formula 1 season is edging ever closer, and the latest Drivers’ Championship prices suggest a fascinating title battle could be brewing.
With the first day of the Bahrain test now complete and already throwing up some early headlines, the market is beginning to sharpen around a clear leading group.
George Russell set the pace on the opening day of running, topping the timesheets for Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton lost valuable track time after Ferrari encountered a technical issue that kept him in the garage for a spell.
Let’s take a look at how the Drivers’ Championship market is shaping up.
George Russell heads the betting at 15/8, and early testing form has done nothing to weaken his position. Long viewed as a driver ready to step into a championship winning window, Russell combines consistency, qualifying speed and race management, all essential traits across a long season.
Setting the fastest time on day one of the final test only reinforces the sense that both he and Mercedes may have hit the ground running at exactly the right moment.
Close behind at 9/4 is Max Verstappen, whose championship pedigree means he will remain a central figure in any title conversation. Regardless of regulation changes or competitive shifts, Verstappen’s relentless race pace and ability to maximise results make him the ultimate known quantity in the field.
Even when not leading early headlines, the expectation is always that Verstappen and Red Bull will be firmly in the fight once the racing begins.
Lando Norris sits third in the market at 15/2, which may be surprising to some considering he is the defending World Champion.
McLaren may not have the technical advantages they enjoyed last season, with the likes of Mercedes and Red Bull catching up, but Norris cannot be written off once again.
If McLaren’s development curve remains strong, those odds could look generous once the opening races begin.
At 9/1, Andrea Kimi Antonelli represents one of the most intriguing names in the market. Young, highly rated and already showing flashes of elite pace, Antonelli could become a genuine title player if everything clicks early in the season.
With the right start and a competitive car underneath him, his odds could shorten quickly once racing gets underway.
Sharing the same 9/1 price, Charles Leclerc remains one of the fastest qualifiers on the grid and a perennial championship threat whenever Ferrari provides a consistent package. His outright speed over one lap is rarely in doubt, and if Ferrari can combine that with race day reliability, he has the tools to mount a sustained title challenge.
Lewis Hamilton is priced at 10/1 and remains one of the most decorated drivers in Formula 1 history. His interrupted opening test day highlights how reliability and preparation can quickly influence early championship narratives, particularly when rivals are seemingly enjoying a better experience in the car.
Even so, his experience alone means he cannot be discounted if Ferrari’s overall pace proves strong once the season begins.
Latest Drivers’ Championship Odds
George Russell – 15/8
Max Verstappen – 9/4
Lando Norris – 15/2
Andrea Kimi Antonelli – 9/1
Charles Leclerc – 9/1
Lewis Hamilton – 10/1
Oscar Piastri – 11/1
Odds accurate at time of writing.
