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SPORTS BETTING INSIGHTS FROM TGM RESEARCH

F1 2026 In-Play Betting: How Live Race Data Creates New Fan Engagement

June 21, 2026

(Updated June 25, 2026)

The sport's partnership between F1 and Betway marks a milestone for the sports betting industry. Backed by insights from TGM’s Global Gambling & Sports Betting Report 2024, this article explores why Formula 1 is becoming a strong fit for in-play betting and what it means for future fan engagement.

Written by

Phuong Doan

A marketing professional focused on transforming insights into accessible content that help audiences better understand consumers and markets.

Formula 1 is one of the world's premier motorsport events. Its global reach and strong fan base create opportunities across sponsorship and media. Sports betting is now joining that ecosystem. The sport recently announced a multi-year partnership with Betway. The collaboration marks a new chapter for Formula 1 betting and fan engagement.

The timing aligns with broader changes in betting behavior. Insights from TGM’s article about Top 3 Global Sports Betting Trends to Watch in recent years, show that 67% of respondents want the ability to place bets in real time (N=8,207). Growing demand for live betting is creating new opportunities for sports organizations or betting operators.

Especially for betting operators, Formula 1 offers a unique opportunity. Every race generates a stream of events that can support engagement long after the starting lights go out.

Key Takeaways

Formula 1's partnership with Betway marks a major step toward a more data-driven betting ecosystem. Real-time race data supports new forms of F1 2026 in-play betting and fan engagement.
Formula 1 generates continuous betting opportunities through qualifying, strategy decisions, safety cars, weather changes, and driver battles.
Betting operators can strengthen engagement through live markets, educational content, loyalty programs, and rewards.
Responsible betting features are essential since real-time betting becomes sophisticated.
The combination of data and live competition can be a strong foundation for the future of sports betting.

F1 Betting Is Entering a More Data-Led Era

For many years, Formula 1 betting focused on simple outcomes. Most wagers centered on race winners or championship results. The availability of live race data is now changing that model, particularly as 67% of respondents say they want to place bets in real time (TGM Global Gambling & Sports Betting Report 2024, N=8207).

As the the latest announcement on Formula 1, the partnership will focus on in-play betting experiences built around race strategy, safety cars, pit windows, and on-track battles.

Formula 1 also highlighted the role of ALT Sports Data, its Official Betting Data Supplier, in supporting these markets through real-time race data and predictive analytics. Formula 1 now generates vast amounts of information during every race weekend. Teams track tyre performance, fuel usage, lap times, pit stop strategies, weather conditions, and driver positioning in real time.

Through official betting partnerships and data providers, parts of this information can support new betting markets and fan experiences.

The shift aligns with growing consumer demand for real-time sports betting. TGM's Global Gambling & Sports Betting Insights 2024 found that nearly 80% of active bettors prefer to place wagers online or through mobile apps (N=8027). Digital platforms make it easier to access live odds, real-time updates, and in-play betting opportunities during sporting events.

Formula 1's race format naturally supports this behavior. Race conditions can change within seconds. A safety car deployment, tyre strategy decision, or weather change can immediately alter race outcomes. As a result, F1 2026 in-play betting is becoming less about predicting a final result and more about reacting to live race developments.

Why F1 Creates More Live Betting Moments Than a Final Result

Formula 1 provides an ideal environments for live betting engagement. Whereas many types of sports games only focus on the result, Formula 1 has managed to generate numerous events during the whole racing weekend.

Before the main event takes place, fans are engaged with qualifying rounds, performance in practices, driver performances, and weather conditions.

When the actual race starts, there will always be something to bet on. In this regard, anything that might affect the result, such as car fights, pit stops, usage of safety cars, tyres, and the race leader, is fair game. The weather might influence the race result too. These moments create a continuous stream of engagement opportunities, making Formula 1 suit well for in-play betting markets.

For betting operators, these moments help sustain engagement over longer periods. Unlike the one-time bet placed prior to the start of the race, bets can be made during the entire process. Thus, the live betting of the Formula 1 sport becomes extremely dynamic and attractive.

What Betting Operators Can Build Around F1 Race Weekends

Formula 1 race weekends create opportunities that extend beyond traditional betting markets. Operators can combine live betting, content, rewards, and customer engagement tools to create a more connected experience. Potential opportunities include:

Live Race Markets

Formula 1 creates a continuous stream of betting opportunities throughout a race. Operators can develop markets around pit stop strategies, safety car periods, fastest laps, podium battles, driver matchups, and tyre decisions. The variety of live moments helps support engagement from the start of the race to the final lap.

Pre-Race Engagement

Fan engagement often begins before race day. Engagement often starts before the race begins. Betting operators can keep fans involved through qualifying predictions, driver matchup previews, circuit-specific analysis, weather-based race outlooks, and discussions around team strategy. These touchpoints help maintain interest throughout the race weekend and create more opportunities for interaction before the main event.

Content-Led Betting Journeys

Content can also play an important role in the betting experience. Many Formula 1 fans are drawn to the sport's strategic complexity. Market explainers, race strategy guides, driver form analysis, team performance updates, and circuit-specific insights can help users better understand race dynamics. Such content supports more informed betting decisions while creating additional opportunities for engagement throughout the race weekend.

Responsible Betting Features

Responsible betting should remain a priority as engagement grows. Features such as deposit limits, betting limits, time reminders, transparent odds information, and clear promotional terms can help create a safer betting environment. Compliance with local regulations is also essential for maintaining consumer trust and supporting long-term growth. Research on responsible betting practices highlights the importance of balancing engagement with consumer protection.

How Rewards Can Keep Bettors Engaged Across the Race Weekend

Formula 1 engagement does not start on race day. Fans often follow practice sessions, qualifying results, Sprint weekends, driver predictions, and post-race analysis. Each stage creates opportunities for interaction.

According to TGM’s Global Gambling & Sports Betting Insights 2024, more than two-thirds of respondents say rewards would make them more likely to place sports bets (N=8207). For Formula 1 betting operators, rewards can support engagement throughout the race weekend.

Mechanics like prediction streak challenges or gamified loyalty programs or leaderboard competitions will encourage continued participation without relying solely on individual wagers.

The approach helps expand the entertainment experience around Formula 1 rather than focusing only on betting outcomes.

The Bottom Line

The collaboration between Formula 1 and Betway is indicative of a much bigger trend in the sports betting industry. With more real-time information becoming available, there is a move away from just predicting the result towards engaging with users during the event itself.

For betting operators, the possibilities are not limited to offering more betting markets. The opportunity also lies in creating more meaningful interactions before, during, and after every race.

Methodology

The TGM Sports Betting Insights 2024 is based on a large-scale quantitative survey conducted across 34 countries, targeting a representative sample of adults aged 18 to 55+. The research explores consumer attitudes and behaviors across global markets, with results weighted to reflect each country's population structure by age and gender.

Survey Methodology: Online interviews using CAWI (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing)
Fieldwork Period: 01 June – 31 July 2024
Sample Size: 9,503 participants
Age Groups: 18–24, 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55+
Country Coverage: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, UK, UAE, Ukraine, USA, and Vietnam
Data Weighting: Results have been weighted to reflect the age and gender distribution of each country's adult population.

Disclaimer: TGM Research.com is not a gambling site or an operator of online gambling. We only offer sports betting for educational purposes. We do not accept or place bets, and we receive no affiliate revenue from businesses that do. There is no monetary incentive for our readers or subscribers to place bets.
We discuss gambling on our website solely for editorial purposes. We do not participate in or encourage gambling. We also make no claim to understand the local laws governing sports betting in our readers' jurisdictions. All visitors to our website must conduct their own research into local laws in their respective countries.
We are a market research firm that only provides information for educational purposes. Readers should be aware that they are solely responsible for their betting choices. We oppose gambling and betting.

TGM Research is not responsible for our readers' actions after they leave our site. Our sports betting data is only provided for editorial purposes. By visiting our website, you agree that TGM Research will not be held liable for your gambling/betting decisions or any losses that may result from those decisions and activities after you leave our site.

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