F1 2026 Betting Preview

Formula 1 is back! The 2026 season is set to begin this weekend with the drivers heading to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix. 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 DOES THE F1 SEASON START?

6-8 March 2026 – The 2026 F1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne this weekend. The Australian GP first joined the F1 calendar in 1985, a race which saw Ayrton Senna secure Pole Position before losing out to Keke Rosberg on race day. The GP was then based in Adelaide, moving to its current home in Melbourne in 1996.

Lex Davidson and Michael Schumacher have had the most success down under, with four Australian GP wins each. Lewis Hamilton has also won the race twice and will be aiming for a third this weekend. Ferrari and McLaren have had the most success as constructors, winning 14 and 13 times respectively. Last year’s race saw McLaren’s Lando Norris claim victory, his first win on the way to winning the Drivers’ Championship for the 2025 season.

RECENT WINNERS*:

HOW TO BET ON F1:

We have a range of both fixed odds and spread betting markets available throughout the 2026 F1 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 5/4, with the German team having looked very strong during pre-season testing

2025 saw a nail-biting conclusion the Drivers’ Championship and fans will be hoping for similar results this season. Mercedes’ George Russell is the current favourite, priced at 21/10 to win his first Drivers’ Championship. Last year’s runner up, Max Verstappen, is also one of the favourites, currently sat at 10/3 to win his 5^th Drivers’ Championship. Defending champion Lando Norris is currently sat at 9/1 to successfully defend his title, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton can be backed at 7/1 to reclaim the Drivers’ Championship.

See our latest Long Term F1 betting markets here, or via the link below.

HOW TO BET ON THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX:

We will offer both fixed odds and spread betting markets each week for every Grand Prix throughout the 2026 F1 season. We have markets live now for this week’s racing in Melbourne, with prices for both qualifying and the Grand Prix.

George Russell is the favourite for this Sunday’s Grand Prix, priced at 2/1 to win round Albert Park. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are also among the favourites, at 17/4 and 13/2 respectively. One of our popular spread betting markets is the Live Index, which makes up at 25 points for the race winner, 10 for the runner-up and 5 for third place. Russell currently has the highest spread at 10-11.5, with Max Verstappen behind on 6.5-8.

See our latest Australian Grand Prix betting markets here, or via the link below.

HOW TO WATCH THE AUSTALIAN GRAND PRIX:

Live on Sky Sports – You can watch all the action throughout the 2026 F1 season on Sky Sports F1.

F1 SEASON CALENDAR:

Here’s a full official 2026 race calendar for the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship:

1. Australian GP — 6–8 March
2. Chinese GP — 13–15 March
3. Japanese GP — 27–29 March
4. Bahrain GP — 10–12 April
5. Saudi Arabian GP — 17–19 April
6. Miami GP — 1–3 May
7. Canadian GP — 22–24 May
8. Monaco GP — 5–7 June
9. Barcelona-Catalunya GP — 12–14 June
10. Austrian GP — 26–28 June
11. British GP — 3–5 July
12. Belgian GP — 17–19 July
13. Hungarian GP — 24–26 July
14. Dutch GP — 21–23 August
15. Italian GP — 4–6 September
16. Spanish 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. Mexican GP — 30 Oct – 1 November
21. Brazilian 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 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.

*Race not held in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid.

Please note that this preview is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. All prices quoted correct as of 12pm 4th March. Price Boosts and other markets will be added closer to kick-off time.