The 2024 Formula 1 season is set to begin and the drivers are ready to compete for the World Championship once again, with Max Verstappen once again installed as an early favorite.
The Dutch driver has won the last three titles, breaking several records along the way including the most races won in a season, and has set the benchmark for the rest of the grid to try and catch.
So who are the major contenders to win the title this year? We'll take a look at the market and provide you with our best free F1 betting picks to see if we can earn you some extra cash along the way.
| F1 2024 Drivers' Championship |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Verstappen | -385 | -500 | -250 |
| Lewis Hamilton | +750 | +1100 | +1600 |
| Lando Norris | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| George Russell | +2200 | +2200 | +2000 |
| Charles Leclerc | +2500 | +2000 | +1400 |
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F1 2024 season information
- First race: Bahrain, Saturday March 2nd 2024
- Last race: Abu Dhabi, Sunday December 8th 2024
- Max Verstappen current reigning champion in the last two seasons.
Formula 1 Drivers' Championship 2024 favorites
Below you'll find a list of favorites to win the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship in 2024.
Max Verstappen - Red Bull (-250)
Without a doubt the best driver in the world today, Verstappen has dominated F1 for the last two years and had no real competition en route to his latest titles.
After winning the title for the first time in controversial fashion in 2021, the Dutch driver has gone on to win 34 of the last 44 races across the last two seasons and broke the record for the most points accumulated in a season by a driver last year.
With Red Bull being so far ahead of their competition last year too they were able to get a headstart on developing their car for the 2024 season, and that means even more chance of him being successful once again.
But will there be a lack of motivation? Will winning easily every weekend get boring and leave him to get careless and complacent? It seems unlikely, but it's not unheard of. At -250 there is phenomenal value in him getting the title again considering his dominance in recent years.
If anyone finishes above Verstappen they will be champion. That makes backing Verstappen the obvious play.
Check out our review for Bovada sports betting here.
Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes (+1600)
Lewis Hamilton, with his +1600 odds, remains a strong contender despite a less dominant 2023 season where he finished third with 234 points.
Hamilton’s extensive experience and proven track record, including a tied-record 7 world championships, make him a formidable opponent in any racing scenario. It also can't be ignored that it has been announced this will be his final season with Mercedes, with the legendary driver agreeing a move to Ferrari for the 2025 season.
Mercedes and Hamilton will both be keen to see their near-two-decade-long partnership end with a world championship, and their car development over the summer means they're hopeful of getting him competitive again.
With that said, no driver has ever won a race after their 300th appearance and Hamilton is winless since the 2021 season so it's a long shot. But if anyone can do it, it's him.
Lando Norris - McLaren (+1600)
Lando Norris is a rising star at McLaren and has shown remarkable growth and potential in recent years.
He finished sixth in the 2023 season, but Norris has demonstrated his capability to challenge the top-tier drivers. It wouldn't be a surprise at all to see him claim the first race win of his career this season, and from there the potential is limitless.
His performances in past races, particularly in challenging conditions, have highlighted his technical prowess and racing intelligence. Norris’s ability to extract maximum performance from his car, along with strategic race planning from McLaren, could make him a dark horse in the championship race.
It's a long shot, as is anyone not named Verstappen at this stage, but his odds make him worth the punt if you fancy someone else to step up.
Check out our review for BetOnline sports betting here.
Charles Leclerc - Ferrari (+2500)
Charles Leclerc is a driver who should not be underestimated. Despite finishing fifth in 2023, Leclerc has consistently demonstrated the speed and skill to win races, and was the driver with the most pole positions last season after Verstappen.
His driving style, combined with Ferrari’s historical prowess in F1, makes him a strong outsider choice. Leclerc’s capacity to capitalize on race opportunities in bad weather and on tight tracks means he can win where others can't and at such a big price there is great value there.
If he can turn some of those pole positions into victories this year, then there is no reason he can't be at the top of the standings competing all the way.
George Russell - Mercedes (+2200)
Another potential outsider with a strong chance of making an impact is Mercedes' George Russell.
His ability to consistently finish races and earn points is a testament to his skill and the competitive nature of his team, and while he'll be disappointed with an eighth-place finish last year there is clear scope for improvement.
Russell’s steady improvement and the backing of a strong Mercedes team could see him challenge the established order in 2024, and he'll be hungry to prove that he's the man to take the team forward once Hamilton leaves. What better way to do that than win the world championship?
