Way Too Early Betting Picks for the 2026 Formula One Season
Way too early look at the 2026 F1 Drivers’ Championship, featuring betting odds and analysis on Verstappen, Russell and Piastri.
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The 2026 Formula One season is rapidly approaching. Only a handful of weeks remain before the cars take to the track once again at Barcelona for full pre-season testing. It's exciting to think about how this new era of F1 will unfold: a grid stacked with talent, with drivers ready to fight for a title if the opportunity arises. There are some exciting betting opportunities to explore when considering how the drivers’ championship could play out.
Max Verstappen is the bookmakers' best bet
It is hard to bet against the four-time world champion. Max Verstappen had another stellar year in 2025, almost pulling off a miracle and upsetting Lando Norris. It wasn't meant to be for the Dutch driver last season; however, if Red Bull can produce a competitive car, there is no doubt Verstappen will be in the mix for a fifth title. Verstappen is at the top of his game right now, with sensational performances in Suzuka, Monza and Azerbaijan coming to mind. It is also an important year for his future. In 2025, there were many rumours about his future. If Red Bull wants to keep their star driver, they have to give him a car capable of winning the championship. There is speculation that Mercedes and Red Bull have the advantage when it comes to their power units in 2026, yet that is all speculation right now. When thinking about the best driver on the grid, you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who argues it’s not Verstappen, meaning that at 5/2, he is the best bet to regain the title in 2026.
Could this be George Russell's year?
If all the rumours are believed to be true, Mercedes will be back on top in 2026. This means that George Russell may finally get their shot to perform with a title-winning car. The British driver has proved himself to be one of the more consistent performers on the grid, often impressing in a Mercedes that lacks the performance of its competitors. However, in 2025, he showed that, given the car, he could produce the results. A perfect example of this was in Montréal, where he dominated the weekend and secured a much-deserved win in Canada. Given his track record in junior categories and the way he goes about racing, Russell will be a formidable competitor when the title is on the line. At 3/1 odds, you would see a decent return if you back the Mercedes driver.
Oscar Piastri will be looking to bounce back
It's important to remember that McLaren will have a Mercedes power unit at the back of their car next year as well, meaning the Woking team could be in the title hunt once again. Of course, Norris got the better of Piastri towards the back end of 2025. However, the Australian’s development took a significant step forward last season, and he will likely have another strong year in 2026. Piastri has shown he can deliver results when needed, and we can also expect him to learn from the mistakes that derailed his championship campaign last time out. Going into 2026, it's hard to predict who will have the advantage when the cars hit the track in Australia. However, McLaren has shown it knows how to build a solid racing car, and you know Piastri will come back better than ever. That is why, at 11/2, it seems he would be a great driver to back if you like a long shot.
The 2026 season will be here before you know it, and at the start of a new set of regulations, you never know how it is going to play out.
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Alex Dunne: F1’s Next Big Opportunity
Alex Dunne is now a free agent after his shock split from McLaren.
Dutch Photo Agency / Red Bull Content Pool
An electrifying young talent has now become a free agent. Alex Dunne and McLaren have parted ways. It has left many people wondering where the Irish star could end up next. There has been a lot of speculation around Red Bull's interest in his services. Could this move add a new element to Red Bull's driver plans?
Alex Dunne
The Irish driver has already made a considerable impression. From starting karting in Ireland to working his way up the junior categories, he has built a steadfast foundation for a prosperous career. His first steps into single-seaters came in the Spanish F4 in 2021. Then, a season later, Dunne became the British F4 champion. Driving for Hitech GP, Dunne was unstoppable, claiming 11 victories and taking the title in commanding fashion. After time in F3, he moved up to F2 for 2025, racing for Rodin Motorsports. Dunne currently sits 5th in the standings with 130 points. He has stood atop the podium twice this season, in Bahrain and at Imola in the feature races. During this season, Dunne also took the F1 world by storm after impressive FP1 outings in Austria and Monza. There seems to be real momentum behind him, which is why it's a shock that McLaren let him go.
Why did McLaren let him go?
Many people may be wondering why McLaren let him go. They already have a young, talented line-up. Both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have shown they can compete at the front of the grid. The two drivers are young enough to stay dominant for the next decade. Yet this is Formula One, and the winds can change rapidly, especially with new regulations on the horizon. Should Piastri or Norris move on, McLaren's recent track record could tempt a star like Charles Leclerc to don the papaya colours in the future. All of this means that opportunities at the Woking-based outfit could be scarce for Dunne. The rising star could be hunting for a quicker way onto the grid.
On Red Bull's radar
A central talking point in F1 has been Red Bull's driver crisis. Ever since Daniel Ricciardo's departure, Red Bull has struggled to find a partner for Max Verstappen. This season, Red Bull's second driver performance has been inconsistent. After Liam Lawson's two-race stint, Yuki Tsunoda has driven the car. Results have been hard to come by, scoring three times out of 16. Isack Hadjar is the frontrunner to be in the Red Bull in 2026, which means that there could be an opening in the Racing Bulls team. Dunne's fellow F2 competitor, Arvid Lindblad, has been linked to the team. Yet it could be an option to put Dunne in the car in the future.
Dunne's talent burns bright, and if Red Bull backs him, the road to Formula One could open faster than anyone expects.
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