Way Too Early Betting Picks for the 2026 Formula One Season
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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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