Ferrari are poised to be one of the squads that could make a significant performance jump at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. The Italian team is targeting a reduction in the gap to the dominant Mercedes, even though the 2026 season is already shaping up to be highly competitive across the board.
Brundle likens the return of Formula 1 to the United States after the mandatory April hiatus to a kind of "relaunch" of the championship. The break gave every team a rare window of extended development time, allowing engineers to overhaul their machines, introduce major upgrades and, ideally, arrive in Miami with cars that are dramatically different – and hopefully better – than the ones that started the year.
Such a reshuffle could upset the existing hierarchy and create fresh opportunities for teams that have been trailing. Mercedes have established themselves as the benchmark after sweeping the first three races of the season.
Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship, and his teammate George Russell, have consistently delivered podium finishes, reinforcing the perception that Mercedes is the team to beat. However, Ferrari remain the closest challengers, sitting just behind the British outfit in the constructors' tally. The Scuderia's driver pairing – Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton – are currently eight points apart in the drivers' standings, occupying third and fourth places respectively.
Their rivalry has already produced several thrilling wheel‑to‑wheel duels, notably in China and Japan, where both drivers exchanged overtakes and demonstrated the competitive potential of the Ferrari package. These battles have kept fans engaged and suggest that the internal competition could push both drivers to extract the maximum from their cars. When asked about Hamilton's recent form, Brundle noted that the former Mercedes star finally broke his podium drought at the second round in Shanghai, finishing third behind Leclerc. Although Hamilton struggled at Suzuka, slipping to sixth while Leclerc claimed a podium, Brundle observed that the British driver appears far more comfortable in the current Ferrari chassis.
"Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more," Brundle told Sky Sports News. "Ferrari is more competitive now and I think they will make a big step for Miami." Brundle explained that Hamilton's driving style seems better suited to the present generation of cars, which rely less on the aggressive ground‑effect aerodynamics that characterized earlier seasons. Those ground‑effect machines, while powerful, often demanded a very particular handling approach that didn't always align with Hamilton's preferences.
The newer regulations, which emphasize a balance between downforce and mechanical grip, appear to suit his smooth, precise input, making him appear more relaxed and confident. The commentator also highlighted Hamilton's mental state, saying the driver looks happier and more motivated because Ferrari is finally offering a realistic chance at race wins. "He knows he has to beat Charles Leclerc if he's going to win the world championship, and that adds an extra layer of urgency," Brundle added.
"If there’s even a whiff of victory, Lewis is still very much capable of taking it." Historically, both drivers have tasted success with their current teams. Hamilton, during his tenure at Mercedes, amassed multiple championships, while Leclerc secured his first race win for Ferrari in 2024, ending the team's own victory drought that had stretched back to October of the previous year when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City.
Those victories have restored some belief within the Scuderia, but consistency remains the key challenge. The Miami event will also feature the season's second sprint weekend, a format that adds a short race on Saturday to determine the grid for Sunday's Grand Prix and awards additional points to the top finishers. McLaren have dominated the sprint format at Miami for the past two years, but the overall odds still favor Mercedes, given their flawless start to the new‑era regulations introduced in 2026.
Despite Mercedes' early success, Brundle cautioned that it is still too early to declare a definitive pecking order under the new ruleset. With 19 races still to run, the development race is far from over. "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." He went on to suggest that any of the eight drivers representing the top four teams could realistically contend for the world championship by season's end. This openness underscores the importance of strategic upgrades, reliability, and driver performance throughout the remaining calendar.
The schedule for the Miami weekend is packed with support series and live coverage. On Thursday, April 30, the drivers' press conference kicks off the festivities, followed by a paddock‑uncut interview later that evening. 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, brings the F2 sprint race, a build‑up show for the Miami sprint, the sprint itself, and a series of analysis programmes, culminating in the main qualifying session for the Grand Prix. Finally, Sunday, May 3, offers the F2 feature race, pre‑Grand Prix build‑up, the Miami Grand Prix, and post‑race reaction shows, all streamed live on Sky Sports F1 and available via NOW without a long‑term contract. In summary, while Mercedes currently leads the championship, the combination of a refreshed Ferrari package, Hamilton's renewed enthusiasm, and the inherent unpredictability of the new technical regulations suggest that the Miami Grand Prix could be a pivotal moment.
A strong performance from Ferrari could narrow the gap to the British team, reignite the championship battle, and set the tone for a season that, according to Brundle, remains "wide open" until the very last race.