Ferrari are expected to be one of the teams that make a substantial leap forward in performance at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, according to former driver and Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. The Italian outfit is aiming to narrow the gap to Mercedes, even though the 2026 season is already shaping up to be highly competitive 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." The enforced break has given every team a longer window to develop their cars, which have undergone dramatic changes under the new regulations. He suggested that these upgrades could be enough to reshuffle the existing hierarchy, especially if teams manage to extract the promised performance gains from their revised chassis and power units.
Mercedes, having won the first three races of the year, are currently the benchmark for success. Their drivers, championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have demonstrated a level of consistency that makes them the team to beat.
However, Ferrari and their two-star driver lineup are the closest challengers. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton sit just eight points behind Mercedes in the drivers' standings, occupying third and fourth places respectively. Their recent duels in China and Japan have been thrilling, with wheel‑to‑wheel battles that highlighted both drivers' skill and the competitive nature of the cars. When asked about Hamilton's recent form, Brundle noted that the British 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 claimed third, Brundle observed a noticeable change in the veteran's attitude. "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more," he told Sky Sports News. "Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami." Brundle went on to explain that Hamilton's driving style appears better suited to the current generation of cars than the ground‑effect machines of previous years, which were notoriously harsh on drivers and less forgiving. "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 said.
He added that Hamilton seemed happier and more relaxed, a mood shift that could translate into stronger performances on track. The former driver also stressed the importance of Hamilton beating his teammate Leclerc if he hopes to claim the world title. "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 asserted. Ferrari's own recent history has been mixed.
While Leclerc secured a win earlier in the season, the team endured a victory drought that stretched back to October 2024, when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City. This period of limited success has put additional pressure on the Scuderia to deliver a breakthrough at Miami.
The Miami Grand Prix will also feature the second Sprint weekend of the year, a format that has added an extra layer of excitement to the calendar. McLaren have dominated the sprint races at this circuit over the past two seasons, but Mercedes remain the favorites due to their perfect winning start to the new regulatory era in 2026. Brundle cautioned, however, that it is still too early in the development cycle to declare a definitive pecking order.
With nineteen races still to run, the championship is far from settled. "I think it's totally wide open," Brundle 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 weekend is packed with action.
On Thursday, April 30, the drivers' press conference will kick off the festivities, followed by a paddock uncut session later in the evening. Friday, May 1, will see F2 practice, the first Miami GP practice session, F2 qualifying, a team bosses' press conference, and the sprint qualifying session.
Saturday, May 2, includes the F2 sprint race, the sprint build‑up, the Miami GP sprint itself, and the sprint qualifying build‑up leading into the main qualifying session. Finally, Sunday, May 3, will host the F2 feature race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the Miami Grand Prix, and post‑race analysis. Sky Sports will broadcast the entire weekend live, with streaming available through the NOW platform. Viewers are encouraged to use Chrome for the best video experience.
The coverage will also be supplemented by a range of additional content, including podcasts, analysis pieces, and interactive features on Sky Sports' WhatsApp channel. In summary, the Miami Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2026 Formula One season. Ferrari aim to capitalize on the extra development time granted by the April break and make a decisive step forward, while Mercedes look to extend their early dominance.
Lewis Hamilton, now seemingly more comfortable in a Ferrari, could become a dark horse capable of snatching victory if he can maintain his newfound confidence. As Brundle aptly put it, the championship is still wide open, and any of the top eight drivers could ultimately lift the trophy at the end of the year.