Ferrari are poised to be one of the squads likely to make a significant leap forward at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, aiming to narrow the distance to Mercedes as the 2026 campaign continues to unfold as a genuinely "wide open" battle for supremacy, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. Brundle points out that the return of Formula 1 to the United States will feel almost like a fresh start to the season.
After the sport’s mandatory April hiatus, teams have enjoyed an extended window to refine their dramatically altered cars, which are expected to be markedly improved. This extra development time could reshuffle the hierarchy, giving traditionally mid‑field outfits a chance to challenge the established order. Mercedes, fresh off a flawless opening streak of three consecutive victories, remain the benchmark to beat.
Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship, and his teammate George Russell, have demonstrated both speed and consistency, reinforcing Mercedes’ reputation as the team to chase. Close behind the dominant Silver Arrows are Ferrari and their two star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who sit just eight points apart in third and fourth place. Their recent duels in China and Japan have been nothing short of thrilling, with wheel‑to‑wheel battles that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. When asked about Hamilton’s resurgence – after breaking his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari in Shanghai, only to endure a tougher outing at Suzuka where he finished sixth while Leclerc claimed third – Brundle told Sky Sports News, "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more.
Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami." He added that Hamilton appears to thrive in the current generation of cars, which differ significantly from the ground‑effect machines of previous years. "Lewis obviously prefers this type of car to the seasons we had with the ground‑effect cars that were smashing against the ground and were quite brutal things; it didn't seem to suit his style," Brundle explained.
"But just his mood and the way he's going about it, he just seems a lot happier because Ferrari is more competitive." Brundle believes Hamilton’s happiness could translate into performance. "He's got to beat Charles Leclerc if he's going to win the world championship in the other Ferrari, and others. Let's see if he can sustain that.
If there's a sniff of a victory, I think Lewis is still very much capable of taking that," he said. It is worth noting that both Hamilton, while still at Mercedes, and Leclerc have not secured a race win this season, with Ferrari’s last triumph dating back to October 2024 when Carlos Sainz won in Mexico City.
The upcoming Miami event, therefore, represents a crucial opportunity for both drivers to close the gap to Mercedes and re‑establish themselves as race‑winning contenders. The Miami Grand Prix also marks the second Sprint weekend of the year. McLaren have dominated this particular format over the past two seasons, yet Mercedes still enter as favourites, having secured a perfect 100 percent win rate since the introduction of the new 2026 regulations.
However, Brundle cautions that it is still too early in the development cycle to declare a definitive hierarchy. "I think it's totally wide open," he remarked.
"We have got a Sprint weekend in Miami, so there are Sprint points to be won, Grand Prix points to be won. This is going to ebb and flow. I see teams leapfrogging others with some upgrades because there is so much upside potential with these cars.
Anybody I would say in the top four teams, any of those eight drivers, could win this year's world championship." The schedule for the Miami weekend is packed with action. On Thursday, April 30, the Drivers' Press Conference kicks off at 7 pm, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 10 pm. Friday, May 1, sees F2 practice at 2.35 pm, the first Miami GP practice session at 4.30 pm, and F2 qualifying at 7.25 pm.
The Team Bosses' Press Conference is slated for 8.10 pm, with the Sprint Qualifying session beginning at 9.30 pm. Saturday, May 2, continues with F2 Sprint at 2.55 pm, the build‑up to the Miami Sprint at 4 pm, and the Sprint itself at 5 pm. Post‑race analysis with Ted’s Sprint Notebook follows at 6.30 pm, while the qualifying build‑up and the actual qualifying session take place at 8 pm and 9 pm respectively.
The day concludes with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 11 pm. Sunday, May 3, features the F2 Feature Race at 5.25 pm, a build‑up to the Grand Prix at 7 pm, and the main event – the Miami Grand Prix – at 9 pm. The evening wraps up with a Chequered Flag reaction at 11 pm and Ted’s Notebook at midnight.
All of these events will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event. In summary, the Miami Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment in a season that remains highly unpredictable.
Ferrari’s potential performance surge, Hamilton’s renewed confidence, and the ever‑evolving technical landscape mean that any of the top four teams could seize the championship. Fans can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW, ensuring that the excitement of this "wide open" season is accessible to all.