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- George Russell leads the Chinese Grand Prix betting at 8/11 after winning the Australian opener.
- The Shanghai race weekend includes the first sprint race of the 2026 season.
- Russell also heads the F1 Drivers’ Championship odds at 8/11.
Formula 1 Heads to Shanghai for Round Two
Round two of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place this weekend with the Chinese Grand Prix returning to the Shanghai International Circuit from 13–15 March.
Following the dramatic season opener in Australia, betting sites have already released markets for the second race of the campaign.
Mercedes arrive in China with strong momentum after George Russell secured victory in Melbourne, leading home team-mate Kimi Antonelli to deliver a dominant Mercedes one-two finish.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third.
Meanwhile, home favourite Oscar Piastri suffered disappointment in Australia after crashing his McLaren on the way to the grid and failing to start the race.
All odds via Bet365.
Chinese Grand Prix Winner Odds
The early betting market suggests Mercedes could continue their strong start to the season.
| F1 Chinese Grand Prix Winner | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| George Russell | 8/11 | 57.9% |
| Charles Leclerc | 11/2 | 15.4% |
| Kimi Antonelli | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Lewis Hamilton | 15/2 | 11.8% |
| Max Verstappen | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Lando Norris | 33/1 | 2.9% |
| Oscar Piastri | 33/1 | 2.9% |
Russell’s 8/11 odds reflect the strong form shown in Australia, where he controlled the race to secure a comfortable victory.
Sprint Race Adds Extra Betting Interest
The Chinese Grand Prix weekend will include the first sprint race of the season, a 100km contest taking place on Saturday morning.
As always. the sprint format often introduces unpredictability into race weekends and gives drivers additional opportunities to score points.
| Chinese Grand Prix Sprint Race Winner | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| George Russell | 11/10 | 47.6% |
| Charles Leclerc | 9/4 | 30.8% |
| Lewis Hamilton | 5/1 | 16.7% |
| Kimi Antonelli | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Max Verstappen | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Russell again leads the betting at 11/10, though the sprint format tends to produce closer markets due to its shorter race distance.
What the expert says...
Drivers’ Championship Market Begins to Take Shape
After the opening race of the season, bookmakers have also updated their 2026 Drivers’ Championship odds.
| 2026 Drivers’ Championship Winner | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| George Russell | 8/11 | 57.9% |
| Max Verstappen | 9/2 | 18.2% |
| Kimi Antonelli | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Charles Leclerc | 9/1 | 10.0% |
| Lewis Hamilton | 10/1 | 9.1% |
| Lando Norris | 20/1 | 4.8% |
Russell’s victory in Australia has moved him to the top of the championship betting at 8/11, while reigning champion Max Verstappen sits second favourite at 9/2.
Mercedes’ strong performance in the opening race has also shortened the odds on Antonelli, who is now priced at 6/1 to win the title.
Race Weekend Schedule
The Shanghai race weekend features a slightly different format due to the sprint race.
- Sprint Race: Saturday – 03:30 GMT
- Chinese Grand Prix: Sunday – 07:00 GMT
With the sprint race offering additional points and potential changes to the starting order, teams will need to balance aggression with strategy throughout the weekend.
Where To Bet on the Chinese Grand Prix
Formula 1 markets are widely available across leading betting sites, covering race winners, podium finishes, and season-long championships.
Punters can often access enhanced odds, promotions and free bets throughout the F1 calendar.
For those looking specifically for racing betting platforms, OLBG also lists the best motorsport betting sites, highlighting bookmakers offering extensive Formula 1 markets.
