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In sport, especially as a neutral, it’s always nice when an underdog pulls off an upset. In Formula One, that’s especially true.

Just as Premier League football has been dominated by names such as Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal, and going back a few years, Manchester United, the EPL title victory that sticks in most people’s minds is where Leicester City did the unthinkable and won the 2015/16 EPL title. Why? Because they were the underdogs. At the start of the season, nobody thought they had a chance, and ultimately, they proved everybody wrong.

But we aren’t here to talk football today, we’re here to talk Formula One racing. For more than a decade now, F1 has been dominated by the same names. Hamilton and Verstappen being two examples. Last year however, that changed. Lando Norris, who was a bookie outsider, ultimately clinched the title.

Lando’s victory proved that, just because you’re a big name, and drive for a big constructor, doesn’t guarantee a victory. Because of that, this year the bookies have been far more adventurous with their picks.

So, who will win the 2026 F1 Driver’s Championship? See what the bookies think as the bookmakers pick their champion.

Kimi Antonelli

At just 19 years of age, Italian Kimi Antonelli is current favourite with the bookies, with both Ladbrokes and BetVictor currently providing odds of 5/4 for the Mercedes driver.

At the start of the season, Kimi was way down there and was probably more of an afterthought for the bookies. Nobody expected him to perform as well as he has. After a wet and stormy F1 Miami GP victory at the weekend, it’s clear the pressure isn’t getting to him, as he currently sits top of the table on 100 points with 3 wins and 4 podiums.

In the words of Big Al Shearer ‘Pressure? What pressure? Pressure’s for tyres’.

George Russell

Before the 2026 F1 season rolled into action, George Russell was the favourite with most bookmakers.

Currently however, it is his Mercedes teammate whom the bookies are favouring, as he currently finds himself in 2^nd place on 80 points, with 1 victory and 2 podiums.

Russell may have started the season off sluggishly by his standards, but he’s still more than in contention. This is reflected in the odds. Bet Victor are currently providing odds of 9/4 for Russell to win the title this year, with Ladbrokes offering 5/2. Still, there’s a long way to go yet.

Lando Norris

Lando Norris may not be where he wants to be at this stage in the season, with just 1 podium finish to his name in 2026, but you should never count out a former victor. Speaking of victors, Bet Victor currently have Lando at 7/2, whilst Ladbrokes are providing odds of 3/1.

Having won the title last year, the McLaren driver will be looking to pull those points back and prove that last year wasn’t just a one off.

Oscar Piastri

After a solid 3^rd place finish in Miami over the weekend, in incredibly difficult driving conditions, Oscar Piastri reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the best F1 drivers on the planet today.

Piastri currently sits in 6^th place in the table, with 2 podiums to his name. The bookmakers have clearly been impressed by what they’ve seen of the Australian however, as both BetVictor and Ladbrokes have him at 14/1.

Max Verstappen

Finally, because, well, it’s Max Verstappen, Max is currently fifth-favourite to win the 2026 F1 Driver’s Championship in the eyes of most bookmakers.

The Red Bull driver currently finds himself 7^th in the table, on 43 points, with not a single podium finish to his name. Despite this, he is still up there and is still in with more than a chance of adding another championship season to his collection.

Ladbrokes are currently offering 12/1 odds for Max, whereas BetVictor have him at 14/1.