F1 heads to Shanghai this weekend for the second race of the 2026 season. This weekend will follow a sprint format, meaning extra points are up for grabs across both the sprint race and the main Grand Prix on Sunday. We take a look at the weekend from a betting angle and make a few suggested bets.
DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
After a dominant Mercedes one-two in Melbourne last weekend, George Russell leads the Drivers’ Championship with 25 points following his victory at the Australian Grand Prix. Teammate Kimi Antonelli sits in second on 18 points after finishing in an impressive second place, while Charles Leclerc is third on 15 for Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton rounds out the top four on 12 points, with Lando Norris fifth on 10 and Max Verstappen sixth on 8 after a difficult opener in Melbourne.
Russell's commanding opening win has made him the early favourite to win the Drivers’ Championship, trading at 1.75. Verstappen is trading at 5.50 while Antonelli, who impressed on debut, is at 7.00.
Click here for betting on Drivers Championship winner
CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Mercedes have made a perfect start to the 2026 season, leading the Constructors Championship with 43 points after their remarkable one-two finish in Melbourne. Ferrari are second on 27 points, McLaren third on 10, and Red Bull fourth on 8 after Verstappen could only manage sixth place in Australia.
Mercedes are the strong favourites to win the Constructors Championship and are trading at 1.45 for the race winning constructor in China, while Ferrari are at 3.70. Red Bull are at 7.50 and McLaren at 13.00.
CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2025
Last year's Chinese Grand Prix was a McLaren masterclass. Oscar Piastri took a superb victory at the Shanghai International Circuit with Lando Norris finishing second to complete a McLaren one-two, while George Russell took the final podium spot for Mercedes in third. Verstappen could only manage fourth on a difficult day for Red Bull.
The Shanghai International Circuit is 5.451 kilometres long and features one of the longest straights on the calendar at 1.2 kilometres, which tends to favour cars with strong straight-line speed. The sprint format this weekend means there is additional action on Saturday with points available before Sunday's main event.
GRAND PRIX RACE BETTING – Click here to bet
George Russell (Mercedes) 1.91
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 5.75
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 9.00
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 9.00
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 9.50
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 21.00
Lando Norris (McLaren) 41.00
Betting and Verdict:
George Russell arrives in Shanghai as the form driver in the field and the early Championship leader. His win in Melbourne was composed and dominant, he led from the front, managed the race beautifully, and left no doubt about Mercedes' pace advantage with the new regulations. The Shanghai circuit's long straight will suit the Mercedes power unit, and with Russell priced at 1.91 to win the Grand Prix, he represents genuine value at a price just above our minimum odds threshold.
Suggested Bet: George Russell to win the Grand Prix at 1.91.
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Max Verstappen was below his best in Australia and will be hungry to prove that Red Bull's pace is far better than a sixth-place finish suggested. A sprint weekend plays into his hands as Verstappen has historically been one of the best sprint race performers on the grid and typically excels in the shorter format where raw pace is at a premium over strategy. At 2.50 for the Sprint Top 3, he looks well worth including.
Suggested Bet: Max Verstappen Sprint Top 3 at 2.50.
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