F1 Season Outright Tips: Leclerc showing promise for special 2026
With the Australian Grand Prix getting underway on March 8th, the clock is counting down to the first green light of the 2026 Formula One season in Melbourne.
The recent testing in Bahrain has ruffled a few feathers as teams and drivers get to grips with the new car regulations that focus around the best deployment of electric energy in the power unit.
It has thrown up plenty of uncertainty and opened up the outright market in a way that has not really been witnessed in recent years.
Amidst the uncertainty before the Aussie Grand Prix, there is plenty of value to be had and here is a look at three early selections for the Drivers' Championship title this season.
Tip 1 - Charles Leclerc to win the Drivers' Championship outright @ 5/1
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ended with the single fastest lap time in Bahrain testing, and he did it with style.
Finishing 0.811 seconds quicker than the next best time, Leclerc showed why many are expecting Ferrari to be big players in the title race this season.
The Monegasque driver failed to win a single race last season, as McLaren and Red Bull were the standout performers throughout the campaign.
However, Ferrari appear to have adapted well to the new regulations and Leclerc, rather than his Scuderia teammate Lewis Hamilton, seems to be getting the best performance out of his car going into the new season.
Reliability has been an issue for Ferrari over the years but if the Italian outfit can be consistent with that, then perhaps this could be Leclerc's opportunity to land an elusive first world title.
Tip 2 - Max Verstappen to win the Drivers' Championship outright @ 5/2
While Ferrari were one of the teams to impress in Bahrain, Red Bull's Max Verstappen can not be discounted at odds of 5/2 to lift the trophy.
The Dutchman endured a below-par first half of the 2025 season but managed to throw himself right back into the mix for the Drivers' Championship with a tremendous second half of the campaign.
Winning six of the last nine races of 2025, including all of the last three outings in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, Verstappen finished in style.
There will of course be questions over how Red Bull will adapt to the new regulations but with a four-time world champion in Verstappen in their ranks, there is every chance of success.
Tip 3 - Kimi Antonelli to win the Drivers' Championship outright @ 8/1
Italian Kimi Antonelli has plenty of talent and he is one to look out for as a potential outsider for the Drivers' Championship.
The 19-year-old came through his rookie season in 2025 in seventh place in the individual standings after being brought in to replace Hamilton at Mercedes.
Earning three podium finishes, Antonelli showed glimpses of what he is capable of and now there is growing excitement regarding the teenager.
Antonelli was the second fastest behind Leclerc in Bahrain testing, as Mercedes also showed they have been strong adapters to the new regulations.
Driving with a maturity beyond his years, the 8/1 for Antonelli in the outright market might well come in if the Silver Arrows prospect enjoys a positive start.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change