Ferrari are poised to be one of the teams that could 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 the dominant Mercedes outfit, even though the 2026 season is already shaping up to be a highly competitive campaign with many variables still in flux.
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 forced break gave every team a rare window of uninterrupted development time, allowing engineers to overhaul their cars, introduce major upgrades, and potentially reshape the hierarchy that has been emerging over the first few rounds. In his view, the Miami event could act as a catalyst for reshuffling the order, especially if Ferrari can translate the work done over the break into tangible on‑track speed. Mercedes, having swept the first three races, remain the benchmark for the rest of the field. Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Drivers' Championship, and George Russell, have delivered flawless performances, reinforcing the perception that Mercedes is the team to beat.
However, Ferrari and their two star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, sit close behind in the standings. Leclerc and Hamilton are currently separated by just eight points, occupying third and fourth places respectively, and have already provided fans with thrilling duels in China and Japan, where wheel‑to‑wheel battles highlighted the narrow margins between the top contenders.
When asked about Hamilton's recent form, Brundle noted that the British driver appears to be more comfortable and motivated in a Ferrari than he was during his final season with Mercedes. Hamilton broke his podium drought at the Shanghai race, finishing on the podium for Ferrari, but then endured a tougher weekend at Suzuka, where he placed sixth while Leclerc secured third. Brundle commented, "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's driving style seems better suited to the current generation of cars, which rely less on extreme ground‑effect aerodynamics that characterized the previous era. "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. The more balanced, aerodynamically efficient machines of 2026 appear to complement Hamilton's smooth, precise approach, making him appear happier and more confident behind the wheel. Brundle also emphasized the psychological aspect of Hamilton's resurgence.
"But just his mood and just the way he's going about it, he just seems a lot happier because Ferrari is more competitive," he said. The former Mercedes driver now faces the challenge of beating his teammate Leclerc, who is also eager to claim the championship for Ferrari.
"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," Brundle added. Both drivers have a history of winning races for their respective teams.
Hamilton's last victory with Mercedes came in 2024, while Leclerc's most recent win for Ferrari was at the Mexican Grand Prix in October 2024, ending a victory drought that had stretched for several months. The upcoming Miami weekend marks the second Sprint event of the season, a format that adds an extra layer of excitement with sprint points on offer before the main Grand Prix.
McLaren have dominated the Sprint races at Miami over the past two years, but Mercedes remain the favourites overall due to their flawless start to the new regulatory era in 2026. Brundle cautioned, however, that it is still too early to declare a definitive hierarchy. With 19 races still to run, the development curve of each team’s car could see dramatic shifts. "I think it's totally wide open," he said.
"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 will kick off the festivities at 7 pm, followed by the paddock uncut at 10 pm.
Friday, May 1, features F2 practice sessions, the first Miami GP practice, F2 qualifying, a team bosses' press conference, and the sprint qualifying session. Saturday, May 2, includes the F2 sprint, the Miami GP sprint build‑up, the sprint race itself, and a series of post‑race analysis shows such as "Ted's Sprint Notebook" and the sprint qualifying build‑up.
Sunday, May 3, will host the F2 feature race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the main Miami Grand Prix, and a post‑race reaction segment, along with additional commentary from Sky Sports analysts. All of these events will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform, offering viewers the flexibility to watch without a long‑term contract. Brundle's optimism, combined with the technical strides Ferrari hopes to showcase, sets the stage for a potentially pivotal weekend in Miami that could reshape the narrative of the 2026 Formula One season.