Ferrari are expected to be one of the teams that make a significant performance jump at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, aiming to close the gap to Mercedes in what promises to remain a highly unpredictable 2026 season, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. Brundle sees the United States round as a sort of "relaunch" for the championship after the sport’s mandatory April hiatus, during which teams have had a rare opportunity to develop their cars extensively.
He believes the extra development time could produce dramatically altered and, hopefully, faster machines that might reshuffle the current hierarchy. Mercedes, having secured victories in the first three races, still sit at the top of the pecking order.
Their drivers, championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have demonstrated a clear advantage over the field. However, Ferrari and its two-star driver lineup are the closest challengers. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton sit just eight points behind the Mercedes duo, occupying third and fourth places in the drivers' standings after thrilling wheel‑to‑wheel battles in China and Japan. Regarding Hamilton, Brundle noted that the British driver finally broke his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari in Shanghai, only to endure a tougher weekend at Suzuka where he finished sixth while Leclerc claimed third.
"Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more," Brundle told Sky Sports News. "Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami. Lewis obviously prefers this type of car to the ground‑effect machines we saw in previous years, which were harsh on his driving style." Brundle added that Hamilton appears happier and more motivated now that Ferrari is providing a car capable of fighting at the front.
"He has to beat Charles Leclerc if he wants to win the world championship, and if there’s even a hint of a victory, I think Lewis is still very much capable of taking it," he said. Both drivers have a history of success with their current teams. Hamilton, while still at Mercedes, amassed multiple wins, and Leclerc’s last race victory came earlier in the season, ending Ferrari’s winless streak that had stretched back to October 2024 when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City. The Miami event will be the second Sprint weekend of the year, a format that McLaren has dominated over the past two seasons.
Nevertheless, Mercedes remain favourites due to their perfect winning record since the introduction of the new 2026 regulations. Brundle cautioned that it is still too early in the development cycle for any team to claim a definitive lead, especially with 19 races still to run. "I think it’s totally wide open," Brundle asserted.
"We have 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 each other with upgrades because there is so much upside potential with these cars. Any of the top four teams, any of those eight drivers, could win this year’s world championship." The schedule for the weekend is packed. On Thursday, April 30, a drivers' press conference will kick off the festivities at 7 p.m., followed by a paddock uncut session at 10 p.m. Friday, May 1, features F2 practice at 2.35 p.m., the first Miami GP practice at 4.30 p.m., and the F2 qualifying session at 7.25 p.m.
The team bosses' press conference follows at 8.10 p.m., with the Sprint qualifying session starting at 9.30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, includes the F2 sprint at 2.55 p.m., the build‑up to the Miami GP Sprint at 4 p.m., the sprint itself at 5 p.m., and the Sprint Qualifying at 9 p.m., alongside analysis shows such as Ted’s Sprint Notebook.
Sunday, May 3, concludes with the F2 feature race at 5.25 p.m., a build‑up to the Grand Prix at 7 p.m., the main race at 9 p.m., and post‑race reaction shows later in the evening. All of these sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW for viewers who prefer an online platform. The Miami Grand Prix marks the return of Formula 1 after the April break and will be a crucial test of how quickly teams can adapt to the new technical regulations.
Ferrari’s potential leap forward, coupled with Hamilton’s renewed optimism, could make the race a turning point in the championship narrative. Whether the traditional powerhouses maintain their dominance or an underdog surprises the field, the weekend promises high‑stakes drama, strategic battles, and plenty of on‑track action for fans worldwide.