A collection of F1 pundits have unanimously predicted that George Russell will clinch his first world championship in 2026. The new season is set to begin at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend and the Mercedes driver has been widely tipped to top the drivers' standings at the end of the year.

McLaren star Lando Norris is the reigning world champion. The British driver finished two points ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen last season. Russell ended the campaign in fourth place but is now the favourite to win the title this time aroundfollowing dramatic changes in the sport's rules. The 28-year-old has secured a total of five wins across his F1 career but has shifted to being a leading contender following Mercedes' performance in off-season testing.

In a preview of the new season, all seven Sky Sports pundits picked Russell to become world champion. Martin Brundle, Natalie Pinkham and Karun Chandhok all named the Mercedes star, while others went into more detail about their selection.

"George can cope with a lot of adversity but also knows the preparation that he'll need to put in for each and every race and is prepared to do it," David Croft explained. "So George Russell, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Antonelli, Isack Hadjar. George will be the favourite but I think Lando and Oscar and Max are running close."

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Having been impressed by the new car's performance, Anthony Davidson said: "George Russell. I think he seems to have started off on the right footing. The car is quick enough to consistently be up there now, rather than the odd performance that was good enough and he's ready to win a world championship."

Making his prediction, Simon Lazenby said: "George Russell. I think he's ready and he will have the car to do it." While Rachel Brookes agreed with her Sky Sports colleagues: "George Russell. He will be pushed all the way, but I think George will win it."

Looking ahead to the opening weekend, only Brudle and Pinkham believe Russell won't start the campaign with a win in Melbourne, picking Charles Leclerc and Norris to top the podium, respectively. Meanwhile, Norris has already addressed the threat that Russell poses to his chances of retaining the world championship. In February, the 26-year-old shared that his rival has been well aware of the pre-season expectations.

"I spoke to Alex [Albon] and George the other day because we played padel together," Norris said. "Especially with them because we kind of came into F1 at the same time, I think it created more hunger for them [that I'm champion].

"Especially for George because he is the bookies' favourite, he's all a bit giddy at the moment! That's a great thing to see."