Ferrari are expected to be one of the outfits that will make a "significant leap" in performance at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, as they aim to narrow the gap to Mercedes in what promises to be a genuinely "wide‑open" 2026 season, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. Brundle sees the return of Formula 1 to the United States as a sort of "re‑launch" of the championship after the mandatory April hiatus. The break has given every team extra time to develop their machines, which have been dramatically altered under the new regulations. He believes these developments could lead to a reshuffling of the competitive hierarchy, with several teams potentially overtaking others as upgrades start to hit the track.
Mercedes will head back into the fray as the clear front‑runner, having swept all three races that have taken place so far. Their drivers, championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have already demonstrated the pace and consistency that make them the team to beat. Close behind the dominant Silver Arrows are Ferrari and their two star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who sit eight points apart in third and fourth place in the drivers' standings. Both drivers have produced thrilling wheel‑to‑wheel battles, notably in China and Japan, where their duels kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Regarding Hamilton, who finally broke his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari at the second round in Shanghai before a tougher outing at Suzuka where he finished sixth while Leclerc took 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 seems to thrive in the current generation of cars, which differ markedly 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 also highlighted the championship implications for Hamilton.
"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.
Both drivers have a history of success: Hamilton, during his tenure at Mercedes, collected multiple titles, while Leclerc's most recent win came in 2024, ending Ferrari's own victory drought that had stretched back to October 2023 when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City. The next race weekend will feature the season's second Sprint event, taking place in Miami. McLaren have claimed victory in the Sprint format for the past two years, yet Mercedes remain the favourites thanks to their flawless start to the new‑era regulations introduced in 2026.
Despite Mercedes' early dominance, Brundle cautions that it is still premature to declare a definitive order under the new ruleset. With 19 races still on the calendar, there is ample opportunity for teams to close the gap or even overtake each other as development continues. "I think it's totally wide open," Brundle affirmed.
"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 starts 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 (with the session itself beginning at 5 pm), F2 qualifying at 7.25 pm, the team bosses' press conference at 8.10 pm, and the Sprint qualifying session at 8.40 pm (which officially kicks off at 9.30 pm).
Saturday, May 2, includes the F2 sprint at 2.55 pm, a build‑up to the Miami GP Sprint at 4 pm, the Sprint race itself at 5 pm, followed by Ted's Sprint Notebook at 6.30 pm, a build‑up to qualifying at 8 pm, the Miami GP qualifying at 9 pm, and Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 11 pm. Sunday, May 3, features the F2 feature race at 5.25 pm, a pre‑Grand Prix build‑up at 7 pm, the main Miami Grand Prix at 9 pm, a post‑race reaction segment at 11 pm, and Ted's final notebook at midnight. All of these events will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event.
Formula 1 returns on Friday with the Miami Grand Prix, marking the second Sprint weekend of the season, and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, with the flexibility of no long‑term contract and the ability to cancel at any time. The race promises to be a pivotal moment in a season where the balance of power is still very much in flux, and where any of the top teams and their drivers could emerge as the ultimate champion.