Ferrari is poised to be one of the outfits that could make a substantial performance jump at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. The Italian team 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 likens the return of Formula 1 to the United States after the mandatory April hiatus to a kind of season "relaunch." The break has given every team extra time to refine their machinery, which has been dramatically altered under the new regulations. He believes the additional development work could lead to significant reshuffling of the pecking order as teams unveil upgraded, and hopefully faster, cars. Mercedes, having secured victories in the first three rounds, enters the Miami event as the clear benchmark. Their drivers, championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have already demonstrated the pace needed to dominate under the new rule set.
Ferrari, however, sits closest to the Silver Arrows in the standings, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupying third and fourth place respectively, just eight points apart. Their recent duels in China and Japan have been thrilling, showcasing a genuine wheel‑to‑wheel battle between the two. When asked about Hamilton’s recent form, Brundle noted that the former Mercedes driver finally broke his podium drought for Ferrari at the second race of the season in Shanghai.
Although he struggled at Suzuka, finishing sixth while Leclerc took third, Brundle observed that Hamilton appears to be enjoying the Ferrari more than his previous ground‑effect cars. "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more," Brundle told Sky Sports News. "Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami." He added that the current generation of cars suits Hamilton’s driving style better than the previous era, which relied heavily on ground‑effect aerodynamics that were physically demanding 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 explained. The commentator also highlighted Hamilton’s improved mood, attributing it to Ferrari’s newfound competitiveness.
"But just his mood and just the way he's going about it, he just seems a lot happier because Ferrari is more competitive," Brundle said. Looking ahead, Brundle emphasized that Hamilton still has a realistic chance of taking a win if the opportunity arises.
"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," he remarked. Ferrari’s own recent history adds context to the discussion.
The team’s last victory came in October 2024, when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City, leaving a notable winless stretch for the Scuderia. Both Leclerc and Hamilton are eager to end that drought, and the Miami Sprint weekend presents a prime chance to do so. The Miami event is also notable because McLaren has claimed victory in the past two Sprint races, yet Mercedes remains the favorite given its flawless start to the 2026 regulatory era.
Brundle cautioned, however, that it is still too early to declare a definitive hierarchy under the new rules. With 19 races still to run, the championship landscape remains fluid. "I think it's totally wide open," Brundle 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. 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. Thursday, April 30, will feature a Drivers’ Press Conference at 7 pm, followed by a Paddock Uncut session at 10 pm. Friday, May 1, includes F2 practice, the Miami GP practice session, F2 qualifying, a Team Bosses’ Press Conference, and the Sprint Qualifying.
Saturday, May 2, will host the F2 Sprint, the Miami Sprint build‑up, the Sprint itself, and the qualifying build‑up leading to the main qualifying session. Finally, Sunday, May 3, culminates with 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, and viewers can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract. The broadcaster also encourages fans to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for real‑time updates, videos, and in‑depth analysis.
In summary, while Mercedes currently holds the advantage, the Miami Grand Prix could be a turning point for Ferrari and Hamilton. With the new regulations still being explored, any team that can extract the most from their upgrades may leap ahead. Brundle’s outlook underscores the unpredictability of the season: the championship is still very much up for grabs, and the Miami Sprint weekend may well be the stage where a new contender emerges or an existing one solidifies its lead.