Sky Sports F1 pundits pick their 2026 world champion, biggest underachiever and surprise of the year

Sky Sports F1 pundits David Croft, Anthony Davidson, Bernie Collins and Natalie Pinkham have made their predictions ahead of the 2026 season.

This weekend, the 2026 Formula 1 campaign kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix, taking place around Melbourne's Albert Park.

On Friday, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped FP1 ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

In FP2, it was McLaren star and home hero Oscar Piastri who went fastest ahead of Mercedes duo Kimi Antonelli and George Russell.

Prior to the weekend, SPORTbible spoke to several members of the Sky Sports F1 on-screen team and asked them to make their predictions for the 2026 season.

Lead commentator Croft, presenter Pinkham and expert analysts Davidson and Collins were asked to pick out the constructors champion, drivers champion, biggest surprise of the season, best race of the year, the biggest underachiever and the best performing British driver.

Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Australian Grand Prix. Image: Getty

David Croft

Constructors Champion - Mercedes

Driver Champion - Oscar Piastri

Best Race of the Year - Silverstone

Biggest Underachiever - Aston Martin

Best Performing British Driver - George Russell

Crofty said: "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.

"Silverstone is always the best, I love Silverstone, getting the chance to chat with the fans and sleep in my own bed for the week! I absolutely love Silverstone."

He added: "Biggest underachiever, Aston Martin, the reliability problems were horrendous, beautifully packaged but too tight for everything to work.

"Best performing Brit will be George Russell."

Crofty has picked Oscar Piastri as his 2026 world champion. Image: Getty

Anthony Davidson

Constructors Champion - McLaren

Driver Champion - George Russell

Surprise of the Season - Alpine

Best Race of the Year - Melbourne

Biggest Underachiever - Aston Martin

Best Performing British Driver - George Russell

Davidson explained: "Let's go for someone new, let's go for George Russell, why not? The team really to watch out for, super experienced, is McLaren.

"The biggest turnaround from last season to this year could be Alpine, they have the Mercedes power unit."

The ex-F1 driver continued: "The best race of the year for me will be Melbourne.

"Lewis Hamilton could have a massive resurgence with Ferrari."

Can Alpine shock a few people this season? Image: Getty

Bernie Collins

Constructors Champion - Mercedes

Driver Champion - George Russell

Surprise of the Season - Lewis Hamilton

Best Race of the Year - Melbourne

Biggest Underachiever - Aston Martin

Best Performing British Driver - Arvid Lindblad

Collins claimed: "Lewis Hamilton's return to form is going to be a bit of a surprise.

"I'm really excited to see how Arvid Lindblad does, it's nice to see a new face on the grid."

Arvid Lindblad is the only rookie on the 2026 F1 grid. Image: Getty

Natalie Pinkham

Constructors Champion - Mercedes

Driver Champion - George Russell

Surprise of the Season - Isack Hadjar

Best Race of the Year - Japan

Biggest Underachiever - Aston Martin

Pinkham said: "I don't think it will come as any great surprise that I'm going to go with George Russell. I think it's that sweet spot between the driver being really at the top of his game, alongside actually having a really competitive car.

"I think Isack Hadjar will do well in the second seat at Red Bull, it has been something of a poisoned chalice over the years but with the regulation changes, it's a bit of a blank canvas and he will have the chance to shine."

She added: "Japan is the best race of the year, Suzuka is such an iconic circuit where we see some good racing.

"Whether Aston Martin could break through the dark cloud of testing remains to be seen."

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