Ferrari are expected to be one of the teams that will make a significant performance jump at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. The Italian squad is aiming to narrow the gap to Mercedes, even though the 2026 season is already shaping up to be highly competitive and unpredictable.
Brundle described the return to racing in the United States as a sort of "re‑launch" for the championship after the mandatory April hiatus. He noted that the break gave every team a rare window of time to develop their cars, which have been dramatically altered under the new technical regulations. With the opportunity to introduce upgrades, Brundle believes the hierarchy could shift dramatically, allowing some teams to leapfrog others in the pecking order. Mercedes, having won the first three rounds of the season, still sit at the top of the standings.
Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship, and George Russell, have delivered a flawless start, reinforcing Mercedes' reputation as the team to beat. Close behind are Ferrari and its two star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who are separated by just eight points in the Drivers' Championship. Both drivers have produced thrilling wheel‑to‑wheel battles in recent races, notably in China and Japan, where their duels kept fans on the edge of their seats. When asked about Hamilton, who finally secured a podium for Ferrari at the second round in Shanghai but then finished sixth at Suzuka while Leclerc took third, Brundle said, "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more now.
Ferrari looks more competitive and I think they will make a big step forward for Miami." He added that Hamilton’s driving style appears better suited to the current generation of cars than to the previous ground‑effect era, which forced cars to hug the track surface in a way that did not complement his approach. "He seems happier and more confident because Ferrari is finally giving him a car that matches his style," Brundle explained. According to Brundle, Hamilton still has the potential to beat Leclerc and claim the World Championship, provided he can maintain his form and capitalize on any chance of victory. "If there’s even a whiff of a win, Lewis is still very much capable of taking it," he said.
Both drivers have experienced a long winless spell for Ferrari, which dates back to Carlos Sainz’s triumph in Mexico City in October 2024. The upcoming Miami event will be the season’s second Sprint weekend, a format that McLaren has dominated in the past two years. However, Mercedes remains the favourite due to its perfect record since the introduction of the 2026 regulations.
Brundle cautioned that it is still too early to declare a definitive order under the new ruleset. With 19 races still to run, he believes the championship is "totally wide open." He highlighted the importance of the Sprint weekend in Miami, where both Sprint and Grand Prix points are on offer, creating additional opportunities for teams to reshuffle the standings.
"We will see teams leap‑frogging each other as upgrades are introduced," Brundle said. "There is a huge upside potential with these cars, and any of the top four teams – and any of the eight drivers within that group – could ultimately win the title." The schedule for the Miami weekend is packed with action.
On Thursday, April 30, the Drivers' Press Conference will kick off at 7 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 10 p.m. Friday, May 1, will feature F2 practice at 2.35 p.m., the first Miami GP practice session at 4.30 p.m., and F2 qualifying at 7.25 p.m.
The Team Bosses' Press Conference is slated for 8.10 p.m., with the Sprint Qualifying session beginning at 9.30 p.m. Saturday, May 2, will see the F2 Sprint at 2.55 p.m., a build‑up to the Miami GP Sprint at 5 p.m., and Ted’s Sprint Notebook at 6.30 p.m.
The qualifying build‑up starts at 8 p.m., leading into the Miami GP Qualifying at 9 p.m., followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 11 p.m. Sunday, May 3, will host the F2 Feature Race at 5.25 p.m., a pre‑Grand Prix build‑up at 7 p.m., and the main event – the Miami Grand Prix – at 9 p.m. Post‑race analysis will continue with a reaction segment at 11 p.m.
and Ted’s Notebook at midnight. All of these sessions will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event. The return to action marks the second Sprint weekend of the year, and Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the entire program live.
Viewers can stream the coverage via NOW, with the flexibility of a no‑contract subscription that can be cancelled at any time. In summary, while Mercedes currently leads the charge, Ferrari’s potential improvements and Hamilton’s renewed confidence could reshape the championship landscape in Miami. The combination of Sprint points, possible upgrades, and the unpredictable nature of the new regulations ensures that the battle for the top will remain fiercely contested throughout the remainder of the season.