Formula 1 Catalunya GP Betting Preview

The European leg of the Formula 1 2026 season continues as the teams head to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya this weekend for the Catalunya Grand Prix. This is one of two scheduled trips to Spain this season but, unlike the brand new Madring later this year, many of the drivers on the grid know the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya like the back of their hands after its long spell as the favoured pre-season testing track. 

Kimi Antonelli is not one of those drivers, but the youngster is heading to Barcelona in phenomenal form after yet another success last weekend, and he will be hoping to further extend his lead in the World Drivers’ Championship.

Tip 1: Kimi Antonelli to win the Catalunya Grand Prix @ 20/21 with bet365

After finishing second in the opening Grand Prix in Melbourne, Antonelli has put in a string of stellar performances to build a 66-point lead in the World Drivers’ Championship. His Grand Slam in last weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix was his fifth successive Grand Prix victory and his third pole position in the last four races. At a circuit where the winner has qualified on the front row in each of the last five races, the Italian teenager looks a strong favourite to extend his winning streak in Barcelona.

Tip 2: Carlos Sainz to finish in the points @ 5/2 with bet365

Carlos Sainz suffered an unfortunate retirement following the restart after a red flag in last weekend’s race, but the Spaniard has been in solid form this season and he can give the home fans something to cheer about on Sunday. Sainz endured a miserable 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, but before that, he had finished in the top 10 in all of his 10 Grands Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Despite driving an overweight and underperforming Williams, Sainz has managed to secure three top-10 finishes in six races this season and, spurred on by the Spanish crowd, he can do so again.

Tip 3: Lewis Hamilton to win @ 16/1 with bet365

Antonelli may be the justified favourite, but those in the market for an alternative could do a lot worse than backing Lewis Hamilton to defy the odds. The seven-time world champion is the joint-most successful driver at this circuit, with only Michael Schumacher matching his six wins in the Spanish Grand Prix. Hamilton has finished second in each of the last two Grands Prix and, after a podium-less maiden season at Ferrari, he already has three top-three finishes to his name in 2026. He has 14 podium finishes at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and may be in prime position to capitalise on any Mercedes errors.