The 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season is expected to give us some of the most significant changes in recent memory.
Sweeping new regulations promise lighter, more agile cars, radically reworked power units and a renewed focus on sustainability, creating a genuine reset across the grid.
More of the car’s power will now come from the electric side of things, which drivers will control more directly during races. Formula 1 will also switch to fully sustainable fuels, and a new system of movable wings will replace DRS.
Together, these changes are intended to make the cars easier to race closely and to encourage more natural overtaking.
The grid itself also evolves. Audi joins Formula 1 as a full works team after having taken over Sauber, while Cadillac’s arrival adds an ambitious new American presence. Elsewhere, Red Bull begins the new era with its first in-house power unit, developed alongside Ford, in a move that could either extend its success or expose new concerns.
As for the competitive picture, uncertainty reigns, so Mybettingsites.co.uk have compared the best betting sites to give us some insight into which teams and drivers are likely to benefit most as we head into the 2026 season.
| Position | 2026 predictions based on odds | Change from 2025 position |
| 1 | McLaren | No change |
| 2 | Mercedes | No change |
| 3 | Ferrari | Up 1 |
| 4 | Red Bull | Down 1 |
| 5 | Aston Martin | Up 2 |
| 6 | Audi (formerly Sauber) | Up 3 |
| 7 | Williams | Down 2 |
| 8 | Alpine | Up 2 |
| 9 | Racing Bulls | Down 3 |
| 10 | Haas | Down 2 |
| 11 | Cadillac | New |
Mercedes are widely tipped to thrive in the new hybrid era, while McLaren’s recent resurgence positions them as early favourites for the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari’s record in regulation resets makes them an ever-present threat, though consistency remains key. Red Bull’s fate may depend entirely on how competitive its new engine proves to be.
| Position | 2026 predictions based on odds | Change from 2025 position |
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Up 1 |
| 2 | George Russell | Up 2 |
| 3 | Lando Norris | Down 2 |
| 4 | Oscar Piastri | Down 1 |
| 5 | Fernando Alonso | Up 5 |
| 6 | Kimi Antonelli | Up 1 |
| 7 | Charles Leclerc | Down 2 |
| 8 | Lewis Hamilton | Down 2 |
| 9 | Carlos Sainz | No change |
| 10 | Isack Hadjar | Up 2 |
As for the Drivers’ Championship, Max Verstappen is predicted to head back to the top of the podium, despite the uncertainty over how Red Bull will fare.
George Russell is expected to become his main rival, while Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri may have to make do with third and fourth positions, even if their combined point scores may still able to secure McLaren the Constructors’ crown.
Fernando Alonso should be one of the big beneficiaries from the rule changes, soaring up to fifth position and opening up the possibility of his first podium finish since November 2023.
However, Lewis Hamilton’s struggles aren’t likely to end, with his lowest ever finish on the cards, while Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc may become a man in demand for 2027 if he really ends the new season in a lowly seventh spot.
With so many unknowns, 2026 is shaping up as one to watch, and with pre-season testing starting as soon as 26th January, there’s not long to wait before our questions start to get answered.
