Premature betting favorites for the 2026 F1 World Championship

      Attention has shifted to the upcoming season.

      Lando Norris achieved his dream in Abu Dhabi by maintaining his composure to secure his first Formula One World Championship. The young British driver arrived at the title decider in a strong position, leading Max Verstappen by a slim 12 points, which ultimately proved to be sufficient for him to clinch the title. At one point during the season, the reigning four-time world champion from the Netherlands was a staggering 104 points behind the championship leader and was considered a 100/1 long shot for the title. However, he began to close that gap effectively, winning five of the last eight races leading up to the finale in the Arabian Gulf. In the decisive race, Verstappen performed exceptionally well, dominating the event and executing one of the most remarkable comebacks in Formula One history, but it wasn’t enough to take the title from Norris.

      Lando Norris celebrates his first F1 World Championship title with some donuts! 🏎️🏆

      pic.twitter.com/eiiRCr23tI

      — Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) December 7, 2025

      Lando Norris Claims His First F1 World Championship

      To secure the title, Norris needed at least a third-place finish, which he managed to achieve, though not without its challenges. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc pursued him closely throughout the race, frequently entering the DRS zone but failing to overtake. Norris also had to navigate through heavy traffic after his pit stop, which was led by Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda, who forced him off the track during an overtaking attempt.

      Nevertheless, Norris remained undeterred. He completed the overtake on Tsunoda and successfully fended off Leclerc after a second round of pit stops to secure third place and, consequently, the championship.

      Now that the 2025 season has concluded, attention has quickly turned to 2026. So, who are the early favorites in betting to win the title next season? Let’s take a look.

      Max Verstappen

      Max Verstappen's 1,457-day reign as the undisputed champion of Formula One may have come to an end, but online sportsbooks list the Dutch superstar as the favorite to reclaim his title in 2026. The popular betting site Bovada has already posted its odds for the next season, positioning the four-time champion as a 5/2 favorite to capture his fifth title in 2026. Given his performances during the latter half of the 2025 season, it's difficult to argue against this.

      Verstappen appeared to be out of contention for the title after the Dutch Grand Prix, sitting 107 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri and 70 points behind Norris with only nine races left. However, he mounted an impressive comeback, winning six of the remaining races and ultimately dethroning one of the McLarens, although the second remained in contention. Excitement is brewing for next season, and Verstappen, motivated after finishing just two points short, will be a formidable competitor.

      Lando Norris

      Just behind Verstappen at 11/4 is the newly crowned champion, Lando Norris. The main driver for McLaren made his own comeback during the latter part of 2025. Following a disappointing retirement in the Netherlands, he found himself 34 points behind his teammate Piastri, seemingly on the verge of being overshadowed by the younger Australian. Then, with Verstappen gaining momentum, Norris appeared to be allowing the title race to slip away.

      However, facing pressure, the skilled Brit fought back. Back-to-back wins in Mexico and Brazil revived his title challenge, yet it’s undeniable that Verstappen and his upgraded Red Bull were the dominant forces in the season's closing stages. If another race had been on the schedule, the championship may have returned to the Netherlands, and Norris will need to elevate his performance in 2026 to successfully defend his title.

      George Russell

      The 2026 season will introduce a series of regulatory changes, and Mercedes has been channeling its energy into preparing for the new era rather than focusing on competitiveness in 2025. As a result, George Russell may also compete for the world title next season, and he is very close behind the two leading contenders in the betting odds, with bookmakers placing him at 3/1.

      This season, the former Williams driver stepped out from Lewis Hamilton’s shadow. After two years of learning from the legendary driver, Hamilton's shift to Ferrari allowed Russell to become the lead driver for Mercedes. His performance has exceeded expectations.

      Russell secured notable victories in Canada and Singapore, demonstrating his capability as Mercedes’ top driver. With an enhanced package for 2026, further successes are anticipated. Coupled with a growing rivalry with Verstappen, which has been brewing for some time, 2026 may deliver thrilling action.