Martin Brundle, the veteran Sky Sports F1 analyst, believes that Ferrari will be one of the teams most likely to make a substantial performance jump at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. The Italian squad is aiming to narrow the gap to Mercedes, even though the 2026 season is already shaping up to be a highly competitive affair at the very top of the grid.
According to Brundle, the race weekend in the United States will feel almost like a fresh start for the championship. After a mandatory pause in April, teams have been granted an unusually long window to tinker with their cars, which have undergone dramatic revisions under the new regulations.
He suggested that these extensive development periods could lead to "dramatically changed and, hopefully, improved cars" that may reshuffle the existing hierarchy. Mercedes, having secured victories in the first three events of the year, enters Miami as the clear benchmark.
Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli, who currently leads the Drivers' Championship, and George Russell, have already demonstrated the pace and consistency required to dominate under the new rule set. Close behind the British outfit are Ferrari and its two star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
The pair sit eight points apart in the standings, occupying third and fourth places, 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 noted that the former Mercedes champion appears to be enjoying the Ferrari more than he did with his previous team. "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more," Brundle told Sky Sports News.
He added that Ferrari's current package is more competitive than the ground‑effect machines of previous seasons, which often felt harsh on Hamilton's driving style. "Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami," Brundle said, emphasizing that Hamilton seems happier and more motivated now that the car suits him better. Brundle also highlighted the psychological edge that a more competitive car can give a driver.
"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 remarked. The analyst reminded viewers that Hamilton still needs to out‑perform his teammate, Charles Leclerc, if he hopes to capture the world title, especially as Ferrari looks to end its own victory drought that began after Carlos Sainz's win in Mexico City back in October 2023. The Miami event will feature the season's second Sprint weekend, a format that has added an extra layer of strategy and points‑scoring opportunities. While McLaren has claimed Sprint victories in the past two years, Mercedes remains the favorite due to its perfect record in the opening races of the new regulatory era.
Nevertheless, Brundle cautioned against drawing any firm conclusions so early in the development cycle. With 19 races still on the calendar, the championship order is far from settled. "I think it's totally wide open," he asserted.
"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." He went on to say that any of the top‑four teams could realistically contend for the title, and that any of the eight drivers within that group have a genuine shot at becoming world champion this year.
This sentiment underscores the unpredictability that the new aerodynamic and power‑unit regulations have introduced. The schedule for the Miami weekend is packed.
On Thursday, April 30, the drivers' press conference will kick off the proceedings, followed by the paddock uncut interview later in the evening. Friday, May 1, will see F2 practice sessions, the first practice for the Miami Grand Prix, and the qualifying sessions for both F2 and the main event. Saturday, May 2, is dedicated to the Sprint race, with build‑up shows and analysis segments leading into the Sprint qualifying and the full‑race qualifying later that night. Sunday, May 3, will host the F2 feature race before the main Grand Prix begins.
The day will conclude with post‑race reaction shows, analysis notebooks, and a comprehensive wrap‑up of the weekend's action. For fans eager to follow every moment, Sky Sports will broadcast the entire weekend live, with streaming available through the NOW platform.
The network also encourages viewers to stay connected via WhatsApp for real‑time updates, videos, and in‑depth analysis. In summary, Brundle's outlook suggests that while Mercedes currently holds the advantage, Ferrari's potential improvements and Hamilton's renewed enthusiasm could make Miami a pivotal turning point.
The combination of a Sprint format, a still‑evolving technical landscape, and a tightly packed calendar means the championship could see significant shifts in the weeks to come. As the teams head back to the drawing board after the Miami Grand Prix, the battle for supremacy in 2026 promises to be as open and exciting as ever.