Ferrari are expected to be one of the squads that make a "significant leap" in performance at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, aiming to close the gap to Mercedes as the 2026 season continues to look exceptionally open, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. Brundle sees the United States round as a sort of "re‑launch" for the championship after the sport’s mandatory April hiatus. The break gave every team extra time to develop their dramatically altered cars, and many believe the new machinery could reshuffle the hierarchy once again.
Mercedes will head back onto the grid as the clear benchmark after securing victories in the first three races of the year. Their drivers, championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have set the early standard for the season. Close behind them, Ferrari and its two drivers sit just a few points off the front‑runners. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are currently placed third and fourth in the drivers' standings, separated by eight points, and have already provided fans with thrilling side‑by‑side duels in China and Japan.
When asked about Hamilton, who finally broke his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari in Shanghai before a tougher weekend at Suzuka where he finished sixth while Leclerc took third, Brundle told Sky Sports News: "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 seems to thrive in a car that does not rely on the ground‑effect aerodynamics that characterised 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. Brundle also noted a visible change in Hamilton’s demeanor. "But just his mood and the way he's going about it, he just seems a lot happier because Ferrari is more competitive," the former driver said.
"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." The last win for Ferrari came in 2024, with the team's victory drought stretching back to October of that year when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City. Since then, both Hamilton and Leclerc have been eager to bring the Scuderia back to the top step of the podium.
The season’s next event will be the second Sprint weekend of the year, held in Miami. McLaren have dominated the sprint format at the venue for the past two seasons, yet Mercedes remain the favourites due to their perfect record in the opening races of the new 2026 regulation era. Nevertheless, Brundle cautions against drawing any firm conclusions so early in the development cycle of the new cars.
With 19 races still to run, he believes the championship is "totally wide open." He expects to see teams leap‑frogging each other as upgrades are introduced, noting the considerable upside potential built into the 2026 designs. "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 event schedule is packed with action. On Thursday, April 30, the drivers' press conference will kick off at 7 pm, followed by the paddock uncut at 10 pm.
Friday, May 1, will feature F2 practice at 2.35 pm, the first Miami GP practice session at 4.30 pm, and the sprint qualifying later in the evening. Saturday, May 2, includes the F2 sprint, the Miami sprint race itself, and the qualifying session that determines the grid for the Grand Prix.
Finally, Sunday, May 3, will host the F2 feature race, the build‑up to the main Grand Prix, and the race itself, with post‑race analysis and reaction programmes scheduled throughout the evening. All of this will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW for viewers who prefer to watch online without a long‑term contract.
The coverage promises in‑depth analysis, highlights, and behind‑the‑scenes content, ensuring fans can follow every twist and turn of the Miami weekend. In summary, Brundle’s outlook suggests that while Mercedes currently hold the advantage, Ferrari’s upcoming upgrades could see them make a substantial stride forward, especially with a driver like Hamilton who appears more comfortable and motivated in the current car.
The Miami Grand Prix will be a crucial test of whether Ferrari can convert that potential into points, and whether Hamilton can finally secure the victories that have eluded him since joining the Scuderia. The season remains highly unpredictable, and the next few weeks will likely determine which teams and drivers emerge as the true contenders for the 2026 world championship.