by
- What: 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix
- When: March 8, 2026
- Where: Melbourne, Australia
The lights go out in Melbourne this weekend as Formula 1 launches its 2026 season at Albert Park. We’ve got new regs, completely different power units, and they’ve actually managed to make these cars lighter. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time we saw changes this massive.
The traditional DRS system is gone, replaced by active aerodynamics and Overtake Mode. Drivers must now manage energy recovery and deployment throughout each lap. Broadcaster and former racer Martin Brundle calls it “the biggest change ever in Formula 1.”
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2026, IT'S RACE WEEK!! 🤩
This weekend, 22 drivers will take to the track in Australia for the first round of the season 🙌#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/ai83EtH7Ko
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 2, 2026
Mercedes heads to Melbourne as the oddsmakers’ favorite for both championships. George Russell is favored at +200 while Max Verstappen trails him at +350. Ferrari left Bahrain testing looking fast, with Charles Leclerc posting strong times. Defending champion Lando Norris and McLaren appear competitive but not dominant.
Lewis Hamilton enters his second season at Ferrari alongside Leclerc. Kimi Antonelli begins his sophomore year partnering with Russell at Mercedes. Arvid Lindblad is the sole rookie on the grid.
The grid expands to 11 teams and 22 cars with Cadillac joining as a new entry. Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez return to F1 to drive for the American outfit. Audi has also debuted, taking over the former Sauber operation.
Everyone’s worried about reliability; we’re likely to see more DNFs than usual. Add in Melbourne’s unpredictable autumn weather, and we’re in for an exciting start to the season.
Before we look at the latest betting odds of the F1 Australian Grand Prix, check out the top Formula 1 betting sites in 2026.
2026 F1 Australian GP Odds
| Driver |  |  |  |
| George Russell | +200 | +220 | +225 |
| Max Verstappen | +350 | +350 | +350 |
| Charles Leclerc | +400 | +400 | +425 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +650 | +650 | +700 |
| Kimi Antonelli | +800 | +800 | +800 |
| Lando Norris | +1000 | +900 | +900 |
| Oscar Piastri | +1400 | +1400 | +1200 |
| Isack Hadjar | +10000 | +10000 | +8000 |
| Fernando Alonso | +50000 | +40000 | +10000 |
| Pierre Gasly | +12500 | +12500 | +10000 |
| Lance Stroll | +50000 | +50000 | +25000 |
| Franco Colapinto | +50000 | +50000 | +25000 |
| Esteban Ocon | +40000 | +40000 | +25000 |
| Oliver Bearman | +40000 | +40000 | +25000 |
| Liam Lawson | +50000 | +50000 | +25000 |
| Arvid Lindblad | +50000 | +50000 | +25000 |
| Carlos Sainz | +40000 | +40000 | +25000 |
| Alex Albon | +40000 | +40000 | +25000 |
| Nico Hulkenberg | +50000 | +50000 | +25000 |
| Gabriel Bortoleto | +50000 | +50000 | +25000 |
| Sergio Perez | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
| Valtteri Bottas | +50000 | +50000 | +50000 |
George Russell
George Russell enters Melbourne with what is widely considered the strongest power unit. The W17 looked balanced and easy on tires during Bahrain testing. He is coming off his best and most consistent season last year.
Russell finished fourth in the 2025 standings with 319 points and two race victories. It’s been reported that he threw himself into the simulator over the winter with relentless energy. He may be the best-prepared driver heading into this new era.
Early morning gym sesh at Mercedes prepping for Melbourne 💪
First stop, Malaysia 🇲🇾 pic.twitter.com/0wgt6reMHC
— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) March 1, 2026
Teammate Kimi Antonelli improved as the season progressed. He finished the season with seven top-10 finishes, including a runner-up finish in Brazil.
If the Mercedes package delivers, Antonelli and Russell could dominate in Melbourne. I’m not convinced by Russell and Mercedes yet, so I would pass on him at this price as well.
Max Verstappen
The four-time world champion heads into Melbourne as the hunter instead of the hunted. He came just two points short of a fifth straight title last year.
Although you never want to count out Max Verstappen, Red Bull is debuting their first in-house power unit built with Ford. The team also begins the season without former principal Christian Horner. Laurent Mekies will be the team principal for Red Bull this year.
Verstappen has reservations about the vehicle, given all the changes being implemented. He praised the team’s reliability in testing but acknowledged they still need more pace. That being said, history suggests we should expect the unexpected from him.
Cars on track, cars on track, cars on track… THIS WEEK! 🤩#F1 || #AusGP 🇦🇺 pic.twitter.com/6TFZemZhUM
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) March 2, 2026
During testing, his energy deployment trick of downshifting into corners was quickly copied by the rest of the grid. His ability to outperform an imperfect car is well-documented.
It’s tempting to take Max at this price on principle alone, but I do agree, and I believe it’s much more likely he ends on the podium than wins outright.
I’d pass on Max at this price to win the Australian GP.
Charles Leclerc
Is Leclerc the most dangerous dark horse on the grid this weekend?
Ferrari’s impressive testing at Bahrain displayed its innovative spirit with the SF-26. The performance definitely raised a few eyebrows in the paddock.
Leclerc won the 2022 Australian Grand Prix, so he knows how to win at Albert Park. Leclerc has converted only five of his 27 career pole positions into victories. Fortunately, that stat reflects the machinery shortcomings more than driver error.
If Charles Leclerc doesn't win a world championship in 2026, he will join Felipe Massa as the only Ferrari drivers to complete at least 8 seasons with the Scuderia and not win a title 😅
Will this be the year? pic.twitter.com/x1tNO3tV7l
— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) February 15, 2026
However, Ferrari shifted resources onto 2026 development earlier than most teams were willing to. They’ve been experimenting with an inverted rear wing concept. The stakes are high for both Leclerc and Ferrari.
He’s stated that the first five or six races will shape his long-term future. If Ferrari can get it right, 2026 may be its best shot at a maiden title.
I’m loving what I’m hearing and seeing from Ferrari so far. This departure from their usual behavior has me believing that this may be their year.
I’m taking Leclerc at +425 to win the Australian GP again.
All our odds are taken from the best sites for F1 betting. You can read more about them on our How to Bet on Formula 1 online page.
Lando Norris
The reigning world champion arrives in Melbourne with the number 1 on his car. He won last year’s chaotic Australian Grand Prix, holding off Verstappen by just 0.8 seconds.
That split-second finish was an indication of how the season would go, as Norris claimed his maiden title by just 2 points over Verstappen. Defending that crown will be difficult. McLaren’s pre-season picture looks competitive, but they don’t appear to be the team to beat.
Lando Norris is facing 3 different jinxes in his first race as champion:
• Last 3 Australian GP winners DNF at next Australian GP 🤕
• Last 2 regulation changes saw the reigning champ DNF in Australia 😬
• Last McLaren maiden champ was DSQ in his first race as champion 😵 pic.twitter.com/Rs7d1Xs3OY
— Daniel Valente 🏎️ (@F1GuyDan) March 2, 2026
McLaren may not be the quickest right now, but writing them off feels foolish. I know no driver has won back-to-back Australian Grand Prixs since Sebastian Vettel in 2017 and 2018.
If conditions turn wet again in Melbourne, few drivers handle the rain better. At +1000, this is far too much value on one of the best drivers in F1.
Don’t count out the defending champion, I’m not, and at +1000, could be looking at a pretty payday come Sunday.
See below the Best Offshore Sportsbooks for US Customers 2026 where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
Sports betting sites 