Title odds: Lando Norris a 10/1 outsider with Sky Bet to retain his F1 crown - as the 2026 season gets underway at the Australian Grand Prix this week
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Reigning world champion Lando Norris heads into the new Formula One season in the unfamiliar position of being priced as a 10/1 outsider with Sky Bet to retain his crown.
Despite lifting the Drivers’ Championship last year, Norris is not among the shortest names in the early betting markets as the 2026 campaign begins at the Australian Grand Prix this week.
Several rivals are currently favoured ahead of him, with George Russell, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton the best-backed in the market at 2/1, 10/3, 5/1, 13/2 and 7/1 respectively.
Meanwhile, Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri is also priced at 10/1 to win the title according to Sky Bet.
Title odds revealed: Lando Norris a 10/1 outsider with Sky Bet to retain his F1 crown
The biggest factor for the uncertainty in the betting lines is Formula One’s sweeping new technical regulations for 2026.
With major changes to chassis and power unit design, the competitive landscape has effectively been reset.
History shows that regulation shifts can dramatically alter the pecking order, and bookmakers have priced accordingly.
Additionally, McLaren failed to demonstrate a clear advantage over its rivals in pre-season testing, while rivals at Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull are widely perceived to have produced strong early packages.
With multiple teams appearing closely matched, markets are leaning toward drivers whose machinery is tipped to start the season slightly ahead.
With that being said, betting against a proven world champion like Norris in a season of uncertainty carries its own risks.
Sky Bet favourites to win the 2026 F1 title:
George Russell 2/1
Max Verstappen 10/3
Charles Leclerc 5/1
Kimi Antonelli 13/2
Lewis Hamilton 7/1
Lando Norris WAS 9/1 NOW 10/1
Oscar Piastri 10/1
- All odds are correct at the time of publication
