F1 Testing 2026 Preview & Betting Odds

The F1 season is getting back into gear for 2026, with preseason testing having started this week. With some major shake-ups coming this year, including an 11^th team and design overhauls for every car, the 2026 season is set to be one of the most intriguing in years.
Here at Spreadex we offer betting odds for fixed odds and spread betting throughout the F1 season. Read on for our preseason betting preview, including key information, dates, and betting odds.

WHEN IS F1 TESTING?

The 2026 F1 season has an extended preseason testing period because of some major rule changes and completely new cars being introduced this year:

• 26-30 January – This week will see a private shakedown at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Spain. This is a team-only session behind closed doors as the teams get to grips with their brand-new cars.  
• 11-13 February & 18-20 February – Teams will then head to Bahrain for the usual official testing period to give teams a chance to fine-tune things ahead of the season proper. 

WHEN DOES THE F1 2026 SEASON START?

6-8 March 2026 - The season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne. Races will then follow every weekend, with occasional breaks, around the world. See the dates for every Grand Prix below.

WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON?

The 2026 F1 season will see some of the biggest changes the grid has ever seen. In an effort to promote the sport’s sustainability, cars will be 30kg lighter and the power output of the car will be split nearly 50-50 between electric and internal combustion power. DRS will also be gone this season due to the new changes, with a new “Overtake Mode” set to be introduced which drivers can activate at the push of a button.

Cadillac will also be joining the F1 circuit for the first time in 2026, with experienced drivers Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas ready to take the wheel for the team. Set to become the 11^th team on the grid, Cadillac is expected to reveal their car to the public at the Super Bowl on 8 February.

HOW TO BET ON F1:

We will have a range of both fixed odds and spread betting markets available throughout the season. We currently have markets live on the Spreadex website for the outright winners of both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship. Mercedes are the current favourites for the Constructors’ Championship at 11/8, with George Russell’s team expected to adapt well to the new rule changes.

2025 saw a nail-biting conclusion the Drivers’ Championship and fans will be hoping for similar results this season. Last year’s runner-up, Max Verstappen, is one of the favourites, currently sat at 9/4 to win his 5^th Drivers’ Championship. Also among those tipped to contend are Brits George Russell and Lando Norris. Norris is the defending champion after winning in dramatic fashion last year, and Russell will be driving a Mercedes car which is expected to perform well following the design overhauls. You can back Russell at 9/4 and Norris at 5/1.

WHERE TO WATCH F1 TESTING:

The current Barcelona testing is private and will not be broadcast live, though Sky Sports will post YouTube highlights at the end of each day. However, Bahrain’s pre-season tests can be followed live on Sky Sports F1 or on F1TV Pro.

F1 SEASON CALENDAR:

Testing concludes on 20 February and we then have a two-week wait before the season gets underway in earnest. We will see the launches of several of this year’s cars between now and then, with each reveal hotly anticipated given the design overhauls. Here’s a full official 2026 race calendar for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship:

1. Australia GP — 6–8 March
2. China GP — 13–15 March
3. Japan GP — 27–29 March
4. Bahrain GP — 10–12 April
5. Saudi Arabia GP — 17–19 April
6. Miami GP — 1–3 May
7. Canada GP — 22–24 May
8. Monaco GP — 5–7 June
9. Barcelona-Catalunya GP — 12–14 June
10. Austria GP — 26–28 June
11. British GP — 3–5 July
12. Belgian GP — 17–19 July
13. Hungarian GP — 24–26 July
14. Netherlands GP — 21–23 August
15. Italy GP (Monza) — 4–6 September
16. Spain GP (Madrid) — 11–13 September
17. Azerbaijan GP — 24–26 September
18. Singapore GP — 9–11 October
19. United States GP (Austin) — 23–25 October
20. Mexico GP — 30 Oct – 1 November
21. Brazil GP — 6–8 November
22. Las Vegas GP — 19–21 November
23. Qatar GP — 27–29 November
24. Abu Dhabi GP — 4–6 December

LEARN HOW TO BET ON F1:

If you’re interested in spread betting on this year’s F1 season, check out our F1 Spread Betting Guide. You’ll find example markets, “buy” and “sell” situations and interactive widgets to help you get to grips with spread betting.

Please note that this preview is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. All prices quoted correct as of 11am 26th January. Price Boosts and other markets will be added closer to kick-off time.