David Croft got one F1 pre-season prediction about Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson completely wrong

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Liam Lawson and Kimi Antonelli have had quite contrasting rookie Formula 1 seasons in 2025, but things are looking on the up for both of them.

After being dropped by Red Bull after just two races, it took Lawson some time to find his feet at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls. Over the last five races, he has finished in the top 11 on three occasions.

Antonelli also needed an acclimatisation period, and now he is starting to show glimpses of what he can do, taking his first podium in Montreal just a few weeks ago.

It seems that both will be on the grid heading into the 2026 F1 regulations, but neither have signed a contract for next year yet. Heading into the summer break, there are still some minor doubts.

Antonelli was ‘disappointed’ with Mercedes and believes that the team’s poor strategy cost him a better result at the British Grand Prix.

He’s still probably slightly better off than his Kiwi rival. Lawson believes Red Bull didn’t give him something he ‘needed’ and is adamant his confidence didn’t take a hit at the Milton-Keynes based outfit.

READ MORE: Liam Lawson will love Red Bull’s new ‘plan’ for ‘outstanding’ driver in line to take his Racing Bulls seat

David Croft’s prediction that Liam Lawson would be better than Kimi Antonelli was completely wrong

Red Bull are set to make a 2026 contract decision on Lawson and retain the 23-year-old, who is starting to get back to his best form.

However, he hasn’t quite been as impressive as Antonelli, who finds himself seventh in the drivers’ championship despite battling some tough reliability woes.

Overall, David Croft’s Antonelli and Lawson prediction was wrong, as he predicted that the ex-Red Bull star would outperform Mercedes’ young gun in 2025.

Being dropped from the senior team after two races didn’t help his cause, but when he did return to Racing Bulls, Isack Hadjar was more consistent and faster at most weekends.

Jenson Button suggested a surprise destination for Antonelli and thinks that he could end up at Red Bull if his team follows through and manages to sign Max Verstappen.

It would be odd, and could see Antonelli and Lawson end up as teammates in the future. That may be a far-fetched theory, though.

READ MORE: George Russell believes Toto Wolff has drawn up a controversial plan for Kimi Antonelli amid Max Verstappen interest

What are Mercedes going to do with their F1 line-up for 2026?

It’s hard to predict what Mercedes’ current aspirations are for their 2026 line-up, but rumours of conversations with Verstappen have made life hard for their drivers.

Both are out of contract at the end of the season and they have no confirmation of where they will be racing with less than six months to go until the new year.

Add in that there will be new regulations in force to work with, and the lack of comfort about their future could start to play on their minds.

George Russell, in particular, has performed more than well enough to earn a renewal, but having him next to a Verstappen would be difficult.

Some tough decisions lie ahead for team boss Toto Wolff, who needs to find a way to keep his young talent happy, as well as his lead driver who he has invested so much into.