Kimi Antonelli upset the odds to become Formula 1’s youngest-ever champion.

It was George Russell who was the strong favourite to win the championship in 2026, ahead of reigning world champion Lando Norris and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri.

Piastri led large parts of the 2025 championship before missing out in Abu Dhabi in the final Grand Prix of the year. In 2026, many predicted he would go one step further.

David Croft predicted Oscar Piastri to be 2026 champion

Piastri actually tied Norris for seven wins in 2025, but narrowly missed out on the championship.

Back in March, commentator David Croft predicted via SportsBible that Piastri would take a step forward and be champion in 2026.

“Predictions are always hard, but it’s even more hard this year with new rules, new regulations, and everything changes. I’m going to for constructors champion, Mercedes and driver champion, Oscar Piastri.”

Interestingly, Croft tipped Piastri to be champion by 2027, so perhaps there is hope for the Australian driver to set things right next year.

“I think Oscar Piastri is a world champion in the making. I think he will win a world title. It might be this year, but there’s six drivers for me that have got a chance of winning this year.

“And if he doesn’t do it this year, he’ll do it the year after. It will come. Be patient boys,” Croft said.

Martin Brundle was also horribly wrong about Oscar Piastri

Unfortunately for the McLaren driver, Piastri has struggled in 2026, with his driving style struggling to maximise the MCL40’s pace under the new regulations.

Within McLaren, Norris has dominated Piastri this year, with the reigning champion 77 points clear of his teammate.

Croft was not the only pundit/expert tipping Piastri to thrive, though. In fact, his colleague Martin Brundle was also anticipating a strong response from the No.81.

“I think he’ll come back with a vengeance, to be honest,” Brundle said in February.

“It was partly painful, partly brilliant for him last year. He learned a lot.”