Formula 1 2025 odds: Lando Norris and Max Verstappen installed as co-favourites for Drivers’ Championship

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The two drivers who finished in the top two of the 2024 Formula 1 drivers’ championship are expected to do so again next season with BetMGM expecting a much tighter battle for the title in 2025.

Max Verstappen claimed the 2024 drivers’ championship by 63 points, winning nine of the 24 Grands Prix during the longest Formula 1 season in history. His early-season form put him in a commanding position by the mid-season mark but the resurgence of McLaren, spearheaded by Lando Norris, ensured it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Verstappen. 

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2024 Formula 1 drivers' championship result

But, while Verstappen captured his fourth consecutive drivers’ championship, the oddsmakers seem to think he’ll be locked in a season-long battle with Norris in 2025. Especially with the Englishman's McLaren team buoyed by securing the constructors’ championship in the season’s final round in Abu Dhabi.

BetMGM have published their early odds for the 2025 Formula 1 drivers’ championship, with Verstappen and Norris installed as co-favourites.

With McLaren on a high and Red Bull likely to be less dominant in 2025 with the imminent departure to Aston Martin of chief technology officer Adrian Newey, a much tighter championship battle is expected and the bookies cannot split the two top contenders.

The pair are listed as 7/4 shots to capture the 2025 drivers’ championship, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third on the list, at 7/2. 

Norris’ McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri is expected by the oddsmakers to play a supporting role in the Englishman’s title challenge and is listed as an 8/1 shot. 

Lewis Hamilton is at 10/1 to turn back the clock and capture a record eighth drivers’ championship in his debut season in the red of Ferrari.

Formula 1 2025: Drivers' championship odds, via BetMGM

New season; new driver line-ups

The new season will see several notable driver changes on the grid, including some big-name switches, as drivers change teams ahead of the new campaign.

Heading that list is Lewis Hamilton, who has ended his 12-year association with Mercedes to join Ferrari, while the man he replaces, Carlos Sainz, moves on to spearhead the Williams team in 2025.

At the time of writing, there are still some seats to be confirmed for the 2025 season. There may be a change in the number two seat at Red Bull. Rumours suggest Sergio Perez could be replaced by Australian Liam Lawson, which would leave an empty seat at Red Bull’s sister team, RB. 

That could be filled by Perez, or the Mexican may depart F1 altogether, with RB offering the chance to a young up-and-coming driver instead.

Newcomers to the grid will include Kimi Antonelli, who gets his first full-time Formula 1 drive as the number-two driver for Mercedes. Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto will join Niko Hulkenberg in a new-look pairing at Sauber. 

Haas have also rung the changes, with Oliver Bearman partnering Esteban Ocon. Elsewhere, Australian Formula 2 ace Jack Doohan steps up to a Formula 1 race seat to partner Pierre Gasly at Alpine.

Odds correct at the time of writing.