Best Betting Strategy for the United States GP
Formula 1 heads to Texas for the United States Grand Prix on 25 October, and South African F1 fans have plenty to look forward to. Max Verstappen is back in the winner’s circle, George Russell has reminded everyone what Mercedes can do, and Kimi Antonelli is closing in on a historic world championship.
However, which drivers look worth backing at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA)? Before choosing your Formula 1 betting markets, let’s look at the results of the last two races and what they could mean for the race in Austin.
What happened at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?
George Russell claimed victory at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on 26 September after surviving a late charge from Verstappen. The Mercedes driver crossed the line just 0.196 seconds ahead of the Red Bull star in a dramatic finish.
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar completed the podium, while Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Antonelli recovered from a 16th-place start to take fifth. It was an impressive recovery from the championship leader, particularly after his qualifying crash.
The race also delivered plenty of drama, with six drivers retiring. McLaren’s Lando Norris was among those who failed to finish after becoming involved in a collision, while Oscar Piastri dropped out of the points following a costly mistake.
Russell’s victory showed that Mercedes remains a serious contender, while Verstappen’s second-place finish suggested that Red Bull was finding some much-needed pace. For bettors, the race was another reminder that qualifying positions don’t always tell the full story.
Azerbaijan Grand Prix top five:
George Russell – Mercedes
Max Verstappen – Red Bull
Isack Hadjar – Red Bull
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
Verstappen wins the Singapore Grand Prix
Verstappen followed up his Baku performance with a commanding victory at the Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October. Starting from pole position, the Dutchman controlled the race and secured his first win at the Marina Bay circuit.
Leclerc finished second, 7.335 seconds behind, while Antonelli took third to extend his championship lead over Russell. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed the top five for McLaren.
Lewis Hamilton finished sixth for Ferrari, while Russell could manage only ninth after starting from the back because of engine penalties.
Verstappen’s victory was particularly interesting for F1 punters. Red Bull appears to have found better form, and the reigning superstar has shown that he can still deliver when the car is competitive.
Antonelli, meanwhile, continues to collect valuable points. His consistency could prove important in Austin, although Verstappen’s recent form means the young Italian shouldn’t be considered an automatic race winner.
Singapore Grand Prix top five:
Max Verstappen – Red Bull
Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
Lando Norris – McLaren
Oscar Piastri – McLaren
United States Grand Prix betting odds
The United States Grand Prix takes place at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. The 5.513km circuit features 20 corners, a long back straight and a steep uphill approach to Turn 1.
These characteristics create opportunities for overtaking, making the US GP an interesting race for Formula 1 betting in South Africa.
Zarbet listed race winner odds currently place Verstappen at 2.20, with Antonelli at 3.25. Russell, Norris, Leclerc and Hamilton are listed at 11.00 each. These are indicative odds and may change before qualifying and the race.
Here are a few markets worth considering:
Driver
Race-winner odds
Betting outlook
Max Verstappen
2.20
Recent winner and a strong contender
Kimi Antonelli
3.25
Championship leader with consistent results
George Russell
11.00
Worth watching after his Baku victory
Charles Leclerc
11.00
Finished second in Singapore
Lando Norris
11.00
McLaren could challenge if its pace improves
Oscar Piastri
17.00
A potential alternative if qualifying goes well
Odds are listed by Zarbet when checked for this preview. They are not guaranteed prices or a promise of a return.
Best betting strategy for the United States GP
Consider Verstappen in the race winner market
Verstappen is an obvious candidate after winning in Singapore and finishing second in Azerbaijan. His recent performances suggest that Red Bull has made progress, while the Austin circuit offers plenty of opportunities to overtake.
At odds of 2.20, a successful R100 bet would return R220, including the original stake. However, that doesn’t make him a guaranteed winner. Check qualifying results, practice pace and any technical penalties before making a decision.
Don’t ignore Antonelli
Antonelli’s third-place finish in Singapore followed his fifth-place result in Azerbaijan. Although he hasn’t won either of the last two races, his consistency has helped him maintain a commanding championship lead.
His listed odds of 3.25 make him an alternative to Verstappen in the race-winner market. However, consider how Mercedes performs in practice and whether Antonelli secures a favourable starting position.
Look at driver head to head markets
Head to head betting lets punters select which of two drivers will finish higher in the race. This can be useful when the outright winner is difficult to predict.
For example, Russell against Antonelli could be an interesting matchup if Mercedes demonstrates strong pace. Likewise, Leclerc against Hamilton could attract attention after Leclerc finished second in Singapore.
Check the actual prices and settlement rules before placing a bet, as finishing position, retirements and penalties can affect the result.
Consider the podium market
A podium finish requires a driver to finish in the top three rather than win the entire race. This offers another way to assess a driver’s prospects.
Antonelli’s consistency makes him worth considering, while Verstappen’s recent form strengthens his case. Nevertheless, Austin can produce safety cars, strategy changes and unexpected results, so podium bets still carry risk.
Wait for qualifying before making your final decision
Practice sessions and qualifying can provide useful clues about tyre performance, car balance and one lap pace.
COTA’s long straights reward speed, but its technical corners also demand a well-balanced car. A driver who looks quick in practice may struggle when conditions change or tyre degradation becomes an issue.
Therefore, avoid rushing into a bet days before the race. Compare the latest odds with qualifying results and decide whether the potential return justifies the risk.
Our United States GP prediction
Verstappen gets the nod after his Singapore victory, but Antonelli is a serious alternative given his consistent results throughout the season. Russell could also be worth watching if Mercedes shows strong pace in Austin.
For South African punters, the sensible approach is to compare the available markets rather than automatically backing the favourite. Driver head-to-heads and podium markets may offer alternatives to the outright winner market, depending on the prices available.
Remember, odds reflect a bookmaker’s pricing, not certainty. Set a budget, keep your stakes affordable and never chase losses. If you choose to bet, make sure you are 18 or older and use a locally licensed bookmaker in South Africa.
The United States GP could deliver another fascinating chapter in the 2026 championship. Whether Verstappen makes it two wins in a row or Antonelli strengthens his title charge, Austin should give F1 fans plenty to talk about.
