Ferrari is expected to be one of the teams that will make a substantial 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 unpredictable at the front of the grid. Brundle likened the return of Formula One to the United States after the mandatory April hiatus to a "relaunch of the season." He explained that the break gave every team extra time to develop their machines, resulting in cars that are dramatically altered and, hopefully, markedly improved.
Those upgrades could reshuffle the existing hierarchy, giving teams like Ferrari a chance to challenge the current order. Mercedes, having secured victories in the first three races, remains the benchmark to beat. Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Drivers' Championship, and his teammate George Russell, have demonstrated the pace and consistency that set the standard for the rest of the field.
Close behind the dominant Silver Arrows are the two Ferraris, piloted by Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The pair sit eight points apart in third and fourth place in the championship standings after intense, wheel‑to‑wheel duels in both the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.
Their battles have provided some of the most exciting racing of the year, and both drivers are eager to capitalize on any opportunity to close the deficit to Mercedes. When asked about Hamilton's recent form, Brundle noted that the former Mercedes driver finally broke his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari at the second round in Shanghai. Although Hamilton struggled at Suzuka, finishing sixth while Leclerc took third, Brundle observed that the British driver appears to be enjoying the current Ferrari more than he did with the ground‑effect cars of previous seasons. "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more," Brundle said.
"Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami." Brundle added that the new generation of cars, which rely less on aggressive ground‑effect aerodynamics, suit Hamilton's driving style better. He suggested that Hamilton's mood has improved noticeably, reflecting the increased competitiveness of his machinery. "He just seems a lot happier because Ferrari is more competitive," Brundle remarked. "He has to beat Charles Leclerc if he's going to win the world championship, and if there's even a whiff of a victory, I think Lewis is still very much capable of taking that." The season’s momentum continues with the second Sprint weekend of the year set for Miami.
McLaren has claimed victory in the Sprint race at the circuit for the past two seasons, but Mercedes still enters as the favorite, given their flawless start to the new regulatory era introduced in 2026. Nevertheless, Brundle cautioned that it is still too early to declare a definitive hierarchy under the new rules, with 19 races still to run. "I think it's totally wide open," he said. "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. Anybody in the top four teams, any of those eight drivers, could win this year's world championship." The upcoming weekend's schedule is packed with action: a drivers' press conference on Thursday, followed by F2 practice and qualifying sessions, team‑boss press briefings, and the Miami Sprint qualifying on Friday. Saturday will feature the F2 Sprint race, the Miami Sprint itself, and a series of analysis shows such as Ted's Sprint Notebook.
Sunday culminates with the F2 Feature Race, the Miami Grand Prix build‑up, the main Grand Prix, and post‑race reaction segments, all broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and available for streaming via NOW. Beyond the on‑track drama, Brundle emphasized the broader narrative of the 2026 season: the introduction of new aerodynamic concepts, hybrid power units, and a more level playing field that encourages innovation. Teams are still learning how to extract maximum performance from these novel designs, and the Miami event will be a crucial test of who can adapt most quickly. In summary, while Mercedes currently leads the championship and appears to have the strongest package, Ferrari's potential improvement, Hamilton's renewed confidence, and the inherent volatility of the new regulations mean that the fight for the title remains very much alive.
Fans can expect a thrilling weekend in Miami, where a single strategic upgrade or a daring overtaking move could reshape the championship battle as the season heads toward its decisive stages.