Ferrari are expected to be one of the teams that 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 unpredictable at the front of the grid.
Brundle likens the return of Formula One to the United States after the mandatory April hiatus to a "relaunch" of the championship. He notes that the extended break has given every team valuable time to develop their cars, which have undergone major revisions under the new regulations. These changes could dramatically reshape the competitive hierarchy, allowing teams that have made the most progress to climb the order.
Mercedes, having secured victories in the first three rounds, still sit firmly at the top of the standings. Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Drivers' Championship, and his teammate George Russell, have demonstrated the pace and consistency that make the Silver Arrows the benchmark for the rest of the field.
Close behind are Ferrari and its two drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who are currently eight points apart in third and fourth place respectively. Their recent battles in China and Japan have been thrilling, with wheel‑to‑wheel duels that kept fans on the edge of their seats. When asked about Hamilton's recent form, Brundle highlighted the British driver's renewed enthusiasm for the Ferrari machine. Hamilton broke his Grand Prix podium drought at the second round in Shanghai, finishing third, before a tougher weekend at Suzuka where he placed sixth while Leclerc claimed third.
Brundle told Sky Sports News that Hamilton "clearly enjoys these cars much more" and believes Ferrari's current package is more suited to his driving style than the ground‑effect cars of previous seasons, which he described as "brutal" and not a natural fit for him. "Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami," Brundle said. He added that Hamilton appears happier and more motivated because the team is finally giving him a car that can challenge for wins. "He has to beat Charles Leclerc if he wants to win the world championship, and if there's even a whiff of victory, I think Lewis is still very much capable of taking it," Brundle continued.
The narrative surrounding Ferrari is also influenced by their recent winless streak. Their last victory came in October 2024, when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City. Since then, the team has been searching for a breakthrough, and the Miami sprint weekend could provide the catalyst they need.
Miami, which hosts the second sprint weekend of the year, has historically been dominated by McLaren, who have won the sprint race in each of the past two seasons. However, Mercedes remains the favourite for the Grand Prix itself, having won every race since the start of the new 2026 regulations. Brundle cautions that it is still too early in the development cycle to declare a definitive pecking order, especially with 19 races still to run. "I think it's totally wide open," Brundle affirmed.
"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. Anyone 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.
On Thursday, April 30, the drivers' press conference will start at 7 pm, followed by the paddock uncut at 10 pm. Friday, May 1, features F2 practice at 2.35 pm, Miami GP practice one at 4.30 pm, F2 qualifying at 7.25 pm, the team bosses' press conference at 8.10 pm, and sprint qualifying at 8.40 pm (session starts at 9.30 pm). Saturday, May 2, includes the F2 sprint at 2.55 pm, a build‑up to the Miami sprint at 4 pm, the sprint race itself at 5 pm, Ted's Sprint Notebook at 6.30 pm, qualifying build‑up at 8 pm, the Miami GP qualifying at 9 pm, and Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 11 pm.
Sunday, May 3, rounds out the weekend with the F2 feature race at 5.25 pm, a Grand Prix build‑up at 7 pm, the Miami Grand Prix at 9 pm, a post‑race reaction at 11 pm, and Ted's Notebook at midnight. All events will also be shown on Sky Sports Main Event. For viewers, the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW without a long‑term contract.
Fans are encouraged to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, videos, analysis, and more. Brundle's assessment underscores the fluid nature of the 2026 season: with continuous development, strategic upgrades, and the inherent unpredictability of the new technical regulations, the championship remains anyone's game. Hamilton's resurgence, Ferrari's potential leap forward, and Mercedes' early dominance set the stage for a dramatic and closely contested fight for both race wins and the ultimate title.