This race is typically the curtain-raiser for the world's premier motorsport championship, and this year is no different.

Lando Norris enters this race having won last year's Driver's Championship with 423 points, beating Max Verstappen by two points. Aussie and Norris' McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, had a memorable season but finished third with 410 points, having had an impressive start to the 2025 campaign. Can he go one better?

Will Norris defend his title? Or will Verstappen get revenge in a year where many will be trying to get to grips with new mechanics within their vehicles, including engines?

Quick Picks

• Our Pick: Russell to win
• Value Bet: Verstappen as each-way
• Long shot: Antonelli in the each-way

Betting Preview

It'll be an interesting Australian Grand Prix for bettors this year, as there are so many new aspects to think about. While the track remains the same, there are new teams on top of the new regulations that constructors have had to work with.

Audi and Cadillac have joined, with Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez back on the grid. Red Bull Racing Bulls also have a new driver for this race, with Arvid Lindblad making his debut. There's a lot to consider.

Three practices will take place on Friday and Saturday, with Saturday also serving as the qualifying session. This could tell us a lot about what to expect during the race on Sunday. With 58 laps set to take place across the 5.278 km circuit, there's a lot that could happen.

It's worth noting that Norris took pole last season and would win the race, clocking the fastest lap time with 1:22.167 on lap 43. Verstappen finished second, while Mercedes' George Russell finished third. Piastri only managed an 8th-placed finish, while six DNF, with Isaac Hadjar included as a DNS.

Betting Markets to Watch

George Russell is considered the early favourite to win this race, as highlighted in our 2026 Australian F1 GP odds. Offseason testing suggested that Mercedes were ahead of everyone else in regard to how they were dealing with the new regulations.

Russell has been consistent, although team-mate Kimi Antonelli set Mercedes' fastest lap in both Bahrain tests. He could be worth value as an each-way bet.

If you want a more experienced driver in a season-opener when nerves are perhaps at their highest, Verstappen perhaps offers better value than Antonelli as an each-way bet. Red Bull weren't all that far behind Mercedes in the testing.

Our Prediction

Check the latest Formula 1 betting odds at Sportsbet.

Our pick is for Verstappen as an each-way bet. He offers good value despite having only two podium finishes in Australia across his eight drives. Red Bull have been good in testing, and as we saw last season, it's never a good idea to write Verstappen off too early.

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