F1 World Drivers' Championship Odds: Russell Holds Narrow Lead Over Verstappen

Robert Criscola - Betting Analyst at Covers.com
Robert Criscola • Betting Analyst +11 years betting experience
Updated: Mar 3, 2026 , 12:30 PM ET • 4 min read

Mercedes is seen as the team to beat as new cars take to the track following an F1 rules overhaul ahead of the 2026 season. Veteran pilot George Russell is the Drivers' Championship odds favorite, with Max Verstappen just behind him.

F1 George Russell Mercedes
Photo By - Imagn Images. Mercedes' George Russell during a press conference ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

George Russell of Mercedes is the wagering favorite in the 2026 F1 Drivers' Championship odds with crucial preseason testing following a sweeping rules overhaul in the rearview mirror. 

The 2026 Constructors' Championship odds will go through the Silver Arrows, according to the early betting.

Let's take a look at the F1 odds to win the Drivers' and Constructors' Championship, with the season-opening Australian GP set for Sunday, March 8.

2026 F1 Drivers' Championship odds

Driver bet365
Mercedes George Russell +200
Red Bull Max Verstappen +300
Ferrari Charles Leclerc +500
Ferrari Lewis Hamilton +700
Mercedes Kimi Antonelli +800
McLaren Lando Norris +1000
McLaren Oscar Piastri +1400
Aston Martin Fernando Alonso +2800
Red Bull Isack Hadjar +10000
Williams Carlos Sainz +10000
Alpine Pierre Gasly +15000
Williams Alex Albon +20000
Aston Martin Lance Stroll +25000
Haas Esteban Ocon +40000
Haas Oliver Bearman +40000
VCARB Liam Lawson +40000
VCARB Arvid Lindblad +40000
Audi Nico Hulkenberg +50000
Audi Gabriel Bortoleto +50000
Alpine Franco Colapinto +50000
Cadillac Sergio Perez +100000
Cadillac Valtteri Bottas +100000

Odds as of 3-3.

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2026 F1 Constructors' Championship odds

Team bet365
Mercedes Mercedes +120
McLaren McLaren +250
Ferrari Ferrari +250
Red Bull Red Bull +700
Aston Martin Aston Martin +5000
Alpine Alpine +6600
Williams Williams +15000
Haas Haas +15000
Audi Audi +25000
VCARB Racing Bulls +40000
Cadillac Cadillac +50000

Odds as of 3-3.

Past F1 Drivers' Champions 

Year F1 World Champion Runner-up
2025 Lando Norris Max Verstappen
2024 Max Verstappen Lando Norris
2023 Max Verstappen Sergio Perez
2022 Max Verstappen Charles Leclerc
2021 Max Verstappen Lewis Hamilton
2020 Lewis Hamilton Valtteri Bottas
2019 Lewis Hamilton Valtteri Bottas
2018 Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel
2017 Lewis Hamilton Sebastian Vettel
2016 Nico Rosberg Lewis Hamilton

Past F1 Constructors' Championship winners

Years Constructors' Champion Runner-up
2025 McLaren Mercedes
2024 McLaren Ferrari
2023 Red Bull Racing Mercedes
2022 Red Bull Racing Ferrari
2021 Mercedes Red Bull Racing-Honda
2020 Mercedes  Red Bull Racing-Honda
2019 Mercedes Ferrari
2018 Mercedes Ferrari
2017 Mercedes Ferrari
2016 Mercedes Red Bull Racing Tag Heuer

How to bet on F1 futures odds

The most popular way to bet Formula One futures is by simply picking the winner of the F1 World Drivers' Championship. The champion is crowned via a points system based on the final race results of each drive. While the winner is not officially given the title until the final race of the season, they can secure the championship with races remaining on the schedule. 

F1 futures odds will usually look like this:

  • Lando Norris +1200

This means that on a $100 bet, you'll stand to profit $1,200 if Norris wins the Drivers' Championship. If it's close to the end of the season or one driver is simply that dominant, you might see a minus sign (-) ahead of their odds. 

  • Lewis Hamilton -175

This means that you would need to bet $175 to win $100 on Hamilton winning the Drivers' Championship.

F1 Odds FAQs

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Robert Criscola - Covers.com
Betting Analyst

Robert M. Criscola’s road to becoming a Covers publishing editor began with an internship at Metro New York, which eventually turned into a freelance job at MetroBet covering many sports from a wagering angle, including horse racing. He continued to focus on “The Sport of Kings” by writing for shapperdacapper.com, danonymousracing.com, and informer.fanxt.com before joining the team at the TwinSpires Edge in 2019 as a regular contributor and weekend editor. “Crisco” began writing game previews for Covers in 2022 and joined the editing team in 2023.

His best advice for sports bettors? Bet with your head, not over it.

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