Chinese Grand Prix Betting Tips - Russell targets successive wins to start 2026
The 2026 Formula 1 season got underway in dramatic fashion last weekend as George Russell put Mercedes on the front foot with a win in the Australian Grand Prix. Now, the 24 drivers head to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix.
This was the scene of McLaren’s first one-two finish of the season en route to a dominant World Constructors' Championship win in 2025, but the 2026 favourites for the title already secured a maximum haul of points in Melbourne, and the Silver Arrows are once again the team to beat.
Tip 1 – George Russell to win @ 3/4
With one of the biggest regulation shifts in Formula 1 history taking place this season, Mercedes have been the favourites for the World Constructors' Championship ever since it became apparent that their engine held a significant power advantage over their competitors.
The Silver Arrows did not disappoint as they raised the curtain on the 2026 campaign with a dominant one-two finish in the Australian Grand Prix.
Lead driver George Russell took pole position on Saturday before surviving a first-stint onslaught from Charles Leclerc around the Albert Park Circuit to land his sixth Formula 1 win, and it is unlikely to be his last this season.
The 28-year-old finished almost three seconds ahead of teenage team-mate Kimi Antonelli and 15.519 seconds ahead of the first non-Mercedes car.
Part of this gap can be explained by a strategy gamble from the Ferrari pit wall, but it's significant to note that Russell and Antonelli’s pace did not drop off in the closing stages of the race.
This suggests they were not pushing their car to the limits, instead opting to keep a safe gap to third-placed Leclerc without taking any unnecessary risks in the reliability and tyre wear departments.
That is an ominous sign for the other title hopefuls, with Mercedes holding a clear pace advantage, at least in the early stages of the season.
This could all change as the constructors continue development but, for now at least, Mercedes are expected to be at the sharp end of the grid, and the experienced and ultra-consistent Russell can make good use of this advantage in machinery.
Tip 2 – Max Verstappen to finish on the podium @ 5/4
A snap from the rear axle of Max Verstappen's Red Bull saw him uncharacteristically exit in the first part of qualifying in Australia, but the Flying Dutchman's race pace was excellent, and he can bounce back with a podium finish in China.
Verstappen fought through from 20th on the grid to finish sixth in the Australian Grand Prix, and he will be buoyed by teammate Isack Hadjar's excellent qualifying lap.
The youngster put his Red Bull on the second row of the grid only to suffer a heart-breaking engine failure in the Grand Prix.
With four-time World Drivers' Championship winner Verstappen behind the wheel, that car has the potential to challenge for a front-row start, and few would bet against the 28-year-old to secure a podium finish when starting that high up the grid.
Tip 3 – Oliver Bearman to finish in the points @ 4/5
After years of struggle, Haas finally started to show signs of their potential last season with a succession of solid points finishes, and the early signs suggest they could be in for a promising season under the new regulations.
Oliver Bearman finished an impressive seventh in the Australian Grand Prix, with team-mate Esteban Ocon just outside the points in 11th.
This was the closest a midfield team came to a double points-scoring finish in Melbourne and Bearman can add to his tally after finishing in the top ten in six of the last eight Grands Prix.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation