An overview of changes in Formula 1 so far and their impact on the betting markets

Now, after three races, it is already possible to get an initial sense of how the drivers and teams are handling these changes. Shrouded in controversy, it’s already clear that they’ve truly made a difference in many cases.

As a result, expectations for the season have completely shifted due to how everyone has adapted to the new regulations. Favorites have fallen short, while new drivers are surprising everyone. All of this has also had an impact on the sports betting market at bookmakers like دانلود 1xbet[1] . Here, you’ll see the repercussions of the new Formula 1 and how this has impacted betting.

Many drivers were already resistant to the changes in the Formula 1 regulations, and after the initial races, this discontent has only grown. Some teams have already shown signs that they haven’t adapted to the changes, such as Williams, McLaren, and Aston Martin, with the latter being the most adversely affected by the new rules. Team principal Adrian Newey has already made strong statements, such as claiming that the 2026 spec engine is“useless.”

However, the driver who has been most vocal against the changes in Formula 1 is multiple champion Max Verstappen. He had already expressed dissatisfaction before the start of the season, and after the first few races, he also made strong statements, even suggesting he might consider retirement. The driver’s main argument is safety, expressing concern over the overtaking rules that have already led to a major accident involving Oliver Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Other drivers have echoed Verstappen’s sentiments and also publicly criticized the 2026 changes in F1. Lando Norris also criticized the competition’s organization, saying that those in charge of the series do not care about the drivers’ opinions. He was supported by Lewis Hamilton, who not only reiterated Norris’s opinion but also went further to criticize the battery management system.

The fact is that this is still a learning phase for drivers and teams to get used to these changes, but the opinions of such heavyweight drivers as Verstappen, Hamilton, and Norris raise red flags for the future of Formula 1.

While many question the changes in Formula 1, it is clear that one team has adapted very well to the new rules. Mercedes has won all three races so far, one with George Russell and two with Kimi Antonelli, the big surprise of the season, who had never previously secured a victory in F1. As a result, the landscape of the favorite drivers has already changed completely, especially with Antonelli’s meteoric rise. The odds from bookmakers like اپلیکیشن 1xbet already reflect these changes. Check the table for the odds on the drivers’ title before the start of the season and after the first three races:

As can be seen from the table, the biggest shift in odds occurred between Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen. While the former’s title hopes seemed remote at the start of the season, he is now practically tied with favorite Russell in terms of odds. As for the Dutchman, who was the second-favorite for the title, he has plummeted and now appears to have virtually no chance according to the bookmakers.

The Japanese Grand Prix was a turning point for the current Formula 1 season. After all, the type of accident that many drivers feared occurred, in which Colapinto was driving slower on the track to recharge his battery while Bearman was coming up behind much faster. As a result, the Englishman was forced to swerve and crashed heavily. This sparked protests, especially since F1 will be on hiatus for a significant period before the next race.

Given this, if the rules remain unchanged, there is clearly a higher risk of accidents in upcoming Grand Prix races. Consequently, some betting markets are adjusting their odds. Among them are:

●     Yes or No on the presence of a Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car during races.

●     Time difference between the race winner and the runner-up.

●     First driver to make a pit stop.