Formula 1 Picks & Predictions
2026 Formula 1 Predictions - Driver Picks to Win & Race Betting Odds
The 2025 F1 season saw a dramatic finale as 3 top drivers competed for the World Championship. Now that the dust has settled, we can start looking forward to the 2026 season. New changes to the rules should mean more overtaking and excitement. You can check out the latest F1 betting odds on Stake now and place your winning F1 bets when you join Stake Sportsbook. But before you do, make sure to read on for our picks and predictions of the upcoming season.
2026 F1 Rule Changes & Season Updates
The 2026 F1 season sees the replacement of DRS with a new method for overtaking, as well as changes to the size and sustainability of cars. Fans can look forward to a new circuit too. Here are the main updates for 2026:
Sustainability - The power units for 2026 will use advanced sustainable fuels, while electrical power will be increased from 20% to 50% of the engine's output. The battery element of each car will have an almost 300% increase in power.
Smaller cars - Car designs for 2026 will be slightly smaller and narrower, while the minimum weight has been reduced by 30kg compared to previous seasons. Tyres will also be slightly narrower, and these changes will mean cars should be more agile and manoeuvrable.
Active aerodynamics - The new season will also see F1 cars featuring active aerodynamic configurations. Teams can switch between X mode, with flattened wings for low drag over high-speed straights, and Z mode, with angled wings for more downforce and grip during turns.
No DRS - The Drag Reduction System has been removed for the 2026 F1 season, and replaced with the manual Override Mode. This allows drivers to activate boost from the battery power when within one second of the car in front, creating new opportunities for overtaking.
New circuit - The Spanish Grand Prix will now take place at Circuito de Madring, a street circuit in Madrid. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya will still be used, while the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix won’t feature on the calendar.
2026 F1 Schedule
March 8: Australian Grand Prix
March 15: Chinese Grand Prix
March 29: Japanese Grand Prix
April 12: Bahrain Grand Prix
April 19: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
May 3: Miami Grand Prix
May 24: Canadian Grand Prix
June 7: Monaco Grand Prix
June 14: Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix
June 28: Austrian Grand Prix
July 5: British Grand Prix
July 19: Belgian Grand Prix
July 26: Hungarian Grand Prix
August 23: Dutch Grand Prix
September 6: Italian Grand Prix
September 13: Spanish Grand Prix
September 26: Azerbaijan Grand Prix
October 11: Singapore Grand Prix
October 25: United States Grand Prix
November 1: Mexico City Grand Prix
November 8: São Paulo Grand Prix
November 21: Las Vegas Grand Prix
November 29: Qatar Grand Prix
December 6: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2025 Season Recap
The 2025 Formula 1 season ended with McLaren as the dominant winners of the Constructors’ Championship. The Drivers’ Championship was a closely contested battle, which saw Lando Norris win by 2 points on the final day of the season. He finished just ahead of Max Verstappen, who was chasing his 5th consecutive title, and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.
The final top 10 driver standings were:
Lando Norris
Max Verstappen
Oscar Piastri
George Russell
Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton
Kimi Antonelli
Alexander Albon
Carlos Sainz Jr.
Fernando Alonso
Drivers & Teams Performance Review
The start of the 2025 F1 season was dominated by Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The McLaren teammates won 12 out of the first 15 races of the season. However, Max Verstappen showed excellent form in the later stages of the season, overcoming initial car troubles to win 6 of the remaining 9 races. The only other driver to win a race during the season was George Russell for Mercedes.
McLaren built an insurmountable lead in the F1 Constructors’ Championship, with both Norris and Piastri racing well throughout the season. Despite Verstappen’s performances, Red Bull finished 3rd, 18 points behind Mercedes, with Antonelli's form over Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda making the difference.
F1 2026 Race Predictions (March)
Throughout the season, we’ll share our latest picks and predictions for upcoming races. Make sure you consider driver form and track conditions, and understand how to read odds before you bet.
Australian Grand Prix
The 2026 F1 season gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix. Practice and qualifying sessions will take place on March 6-7, while the race will be held on March 8. Last season, Lando Norris took the win ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell in 2nd and 3rd.
The circuit is one of the fastest on the F1 calendar, making it a perfect season opener. Teams will have to get to grips with the new rule changes, which could introduce some unique strategies. We expect another close battle between Norris, Verstappen, and Russell, but Norris is our pick to win.
Chinese Grand Prix (Sprint)
The Chinese GP begins with a practice session and a sprint qualifying session on March 13. The sprint stage takes place on March 14, followed by qualifying, and the race happens on March 15. Last season, Piastri took the win here, ahead of Norris and Russell.
The unique layout of the Shanghai International Circuit provides a very long straight, perfect for overtaking with the new Override Mode. The weather can have an impact on the race too, with rain often forecasted during this time of the year. As the first sprint race of the season, drivers and teams will have another opportunity to pick up points. We’re picking Verstappen to win here.
Japanese Grand Prix
You can follow the Japanese GP on March 29, preceded by 3 practice sessions and qualifying between March 27-28. Last season, Max Verstappen won here, with Norris and Piastri in 2nd and 3rd. However, Antonelli finished with the fastest lap.
The Suzuka Circuit is characterised by its demanding figure-of-eight track. The tight racing means overtaking opportunities are limited, so pay close attention to qualifying. There’s also a high possibility of a safety car affecting the race, forcing teams to adapt their strategies. We expect a win for Verstappen, but it could be decided by whoever achieves pole position.
Who Will Win the Drivers’ Championship?
Currently, the betting odds for the 2026 Drivers’ Championship are close between Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and George Russell.
Verstappen has the slight edge due to the fact that he’s a 4-time world champion. The new changes may also favour his driving style, allowing him to secure more overtakes. However, the issues with Red Bull last season may continue into this and hold him back.
The champion of the 2025 season, Lando Norris, is currently slightly behind Verstappen in the betting odds. His first world championship showed his ability to stay calm under pressure, and McLaren-Mercedes look like the strongest team in F1 right now.
George Russell finished 4th in the overall Drivers’ Championship standings last season, but he’s currently the 3rd favourite to win the World Championship. The Mercedes driver had some great moments over the course of the season, but only won 2 races. To stand a chance of winning his first title, Mercedes will need to be at their best.
Who Will Win the Constructors' Championship?
The odds for the Constructors’ Championship are currently close between McLaren and Mercedes. McLaren, having dominated the 2025 season, is the slight favorite. Both Landro Norris and Oscar Piastri are expected to continue their strong performances from last season, although Piastri’s form dropped off as the season went on.
Just behind them in the odds is Mercedes, which came 2nd in 2025. They ended the season with 12 fewer wins and less than half the number of podium finishes. However, many believe that this could be a strong year for the Mercedes team, as George Russell is a top driver, and Kimi Antonelli impressed in his debut season at the age of just 18.
Who is Favoured to Win F1 2026?
Right now, Max Verstappen is an early betting favorite to win the 2026 Formula One season. The 4-time world champion was denied by just 2 points in 2025, winning 6 of the last 9 races after seemingly being out of title contention for much of the season. Based on his previous history and his strong end-of-season form, he’s a great early pick for 2026.
How to Bet on F1?
It’s relatively straightforward to bet on the F1 at Stake. Our full sports betting guide and Formula 1 betting guide offer more detailed advice on how to get started, but you can also follow these steps below:
Log in to your Stake.com account using your secure passkey and check your available balance in the wallet.
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Search for the F1 and then choose any live race, upcoming race, or outright betting market.
Choose from any of the available betting options.
Enter your stake in the bet slip, check your potential payout, then confirm to place.
If you require assistance, you can get in touch with our customer support team.
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