The 2022 Formula 1 season may have only just finished, but did you know that you can already bet on the winner of the 2023 F1 World Drivers’ Championship? That’s right, the bookmakers have already released their Formula 1 odds for next year.
If you followed the action throughout 2022, you probably won’t be surprised to learn that Max Verstappen is the bookies’ favorite to reign supreme once again next season. However, several drivers stand a chance of stopping the Red Bull star in 2023.
Join me as I analyze all the top contenders for the 2023 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship, as well as a potential sleeper to keep an eye on. I also share my predicted winner before listing the F1 World Championship odds at the end.
Top Contenders to Win 2023 F1 Drivers Championship
Max Verstappen (+100)
To say that Verstappen dominated the 2022 campaign would be an understatement. Indeed, the Red Bull star clocked up a record 15 race wins last season – meaning he won 68% of the 22 races.
Lewis Hamilton pushed Verstappen all the way in 2021, but Verstappen was in a league of his own throughout the 2022 season. Nobody would be shocked if the 25-year-old sealed a third straight title in 2023.
Lewis Hamilton (+200)
No driver has won more Formula 1 titles than Hamilton. The record-breaking Brit won the first of his seven titles all the way back in 2008 before securing six triumphs in seven years between 2014 and 2020.
Remarkably, Hamilton failed to win a single race in 2022, as Mercedes struggled to keep pace with Red Bull. Still, he managed to record three second-place finishes across the final four races last season. Can he rediscover his best form in 2023?
George Russell (+550)
George Russell enjoyed a hugely consistent debut season at Mercedes, registering 19 top-five finishes across 22 races in 2022. He also achieved seven podiums before securing his maiden F1 race victory in Sao Paulo.
Thanks to his consistency, Russell finished fourth in the World Drivers’ Championship standings – 35 points ahead of Hamilton. If you’re thinking about backing a Mercedes driver in 2023, Russell could be the man to go for.

Charles Leclerc (+800)
When Charles Leclerc won two of the opening three races in 2022, it looked as though he would challenge Verstappen for the title. However, a catalogue of individual and team errors saw the Ferrari driver fall short.
Leclerc only managed one more win throughout the entire campaign, achieving seven podiums along the way. Granted, he still finished second in the standings, but he ended up 146 points behind Verstappen.
Lando Norris (+10000)
Lando Norris is my sleeper for the 2023 F1 World Championship. Of course, McLaren couldn’t match the speed of Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes in 2022, but Norris still managed to compete with the big boys.
The 23-year-old Englishman racked up 13 top-seven finishes last season and even made it onto the podium at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. If McLaren gives Norris a competitive car in 2023, he could close the gap.
2023 F1 World Drivers Championship Predictions
Ultimately, it is difficult to imagine anyone outperforming Verstappen in 2023. Having won 15 of the 22 races last season, the Red Bull driver looks destined to enjoy another title-winning campaign.
Hamilton will be eager to bounce back next year, while Leclerc and Russell will aim to build on impressive seasons. Still, I expect Verstappen to dominate the field and secure a third successive title.
Given what happened in 2022, Verstappen’s price of +100 feels pretty generous.
Best Bet: Max Verstappen (+100)
2023 F1 World Drivers Championship Betting Lines
Max Verstappen (+100)
Lewis Hamilton (+200)
George Russell (+550)
Charles Leclerc (+800)
Carlos Sainz (+2500)
Sergio Perez (+5000)
Lando Norris (+10000)
Esteban Ocon (+12500)
Fernando Alonso (+12500)
Pierre Gasly (+20000)
Oscar Piastri (+25000)
Valtteri Bottas (+30000)
Kevin Magnussen (+50000)
Lance Stroll (+50000)
Nico Hulkenberg (+75000)
Nyck De Vries (+75000)
Alex Albon (+100000)
Guanyu Zhou (+100000)
Logan Sargeant (+100000)
Yuki Tsunoda (+100000)
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