To be the man, you have to beat the man. Until somebody finally tames the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, he remains the force in Formula 1. With four consecutive F1 World Drivers' Championships under his belt, backing him at +300 to win a fifth straight may seem mighty tempting.
For the first time in years, Max Verstappen is not the betting favorite. That honor now belongs to Lando Norris of McLaren. After a breakout 2024 season in which he finished as the runner-up and claimed four victories and eight poles, Norris is now the +175 favorite to win it all. McLaren also took the title in the Constructors' Championship, and by all accounts has the fastest car in 2025.
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2025 Formula 1 World Championship Betting Preview
(odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
2025 Formula 1 World Championship Odds
- Lando Norris: +175
- Max Verstappen +300
- Charles Leclerc: +400
- Lewis Hamilton: +600
- Oscar Piastri: +900
- George Russell: +1400
2025 Formula 1 World Championship Predictions
Max Verstappen believes the Red Bull cars have "no chance" of winning the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this weekend. He took it a step further by saying "there is only one, and that that is orange," when asked what other teams can compete for his title this year.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory with more parity, more competition and more betting opportunities. Ferrari has strengthened its lineup by adding Lewis Hamilton, while both Ferrari and Mercedes posted impressive testing times in Bahrain earlier this month. The gap is closing, and Verstappen's path to another title is far less certain.
Consistency will be key for Lando Norris in 2025. Last season he finished worse than his starting grid position seven times and failed to convert four pole positions into victories. He will need to drastically improve that conversion rate, as well as his issues on lap ones. Including sprint races, he has failed to start lap two in the lead on nine occasions from 11 pole positions. It is something I believe he can fix and start turning his lightning-fast Saturdays into podiums and points on Sundays.
Max Verstappen's time is up. Lando Norris' time is now. At +175, Norris offers strong value to take the next step and claim his first Formula 1 World Championship. I'm betting on it. Are you?
Pick: Lando Norris (+175)
