Ferrari are expected to be one of the teams that make a substantial performance jump at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, aiming to narrow the gap to Mercedes as the 2026 season continues to unfold in an unpredictable fashion, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. Brundle likens the return of Formula 1 to the United States after the mandatory April hiatus to a "relaunch" of the championship.
The break has given every outfit a rare window of time to refine their radically altered cars, and many believe the upgrades could reshuffle the hierarchy that has been in place since the new regulations took effect. Mercedes, having swept the first three rounds, still sit at the summit of the standings.
Their drivers, championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have delivered flawless performances, reinforcing the perception that the Silver Arrows are the benchmark to beat. Close behind, Ferrari and its two star pilots, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, sit eight points adrift of the Mercedes duo, occupying third and fourth place in the drivers' leaderboard.
Their recent duels in China and Japan have been nothing short of thrilling, with wheel‑to‑wheel battles that have kept fans on the edge of their seats. Regarding Hamilton, who finally broke his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari at the second round in Shanghai before a more challenging weekend in Suzuka where he finished sixth while Leclerc took third, Brundle told Sky Sports News: "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more. Ferrari looks more competitive now, and I think they will make a big step forward for Miami." He added that Hamilton seems to be thriving in a car that suits his driving style better than the ground‑effect machines of previous years, which he described as "brutal" and not well‑aligned with his preferences.
"His mood is noticeably better," Brundle noted, "and the fact that Ferrari is more competitive makes him a lot happier." The former Mercedes driver still has a clear target: he must out‑perform his teammate Charles Leclerc if he hopes to capture the world title, especially given that Ferrari have not won a race since Carlos Sainz's victory in Mexico City back in October 2023. Brundle believes that if Hamilton can sniff out a win, he remains fully capable of taking it. The calendar now moves to Miami, which will host the second Sprint weekend of the year. McLaren have dominated the sprint format at the venue for the past two seasons, yet Mercedes remain the favourites thanks to their perfect record at the start of the new regulatory era.
Brundle cautioned, however, that it is still too early to declare a definitive order under the 2026 ruleset, with 19 races still to run. "I think it's totally wide open," he said. "We have a Sprint weekend in Miami, so there are Sprint points up for grabs as well as Grand Prix points. This will ebb and flow.
Teams will leapfrog each other with upgrades because there is so much upside potential in these cars. Any of the top four teams, any of those eight drivers, could win the championship this year." Beyond the on‑track action, the weekend is packed with supporting events.
The drivers' press conference is slated for Thursday, April 30 at 7 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut segment at 10 p.m. Friday will feature F2 practice sessions, the Miami GP practice, and qualifying for both F2 and the main race.
Saturday's schedule includes the F2 sprint, the Miami Sprint build‑up, the sprint itself, and a series of analyst notebooks. Sunday will culminate with the F2 feature race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the main race, and post‑race reaction shows. Sky Sports will broadcast the entire program live, and fans can stream the coverage via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract. The network also encourages viewers to follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest news, videos, features, and analysis.
In summary, while Mercedes currently hold the advantage, the combination of Ferrari's anticipated upgrades, Hamilton's renewed confidence, and the unpredictable nature of the new regulations means the Miami Grand Prix could be a pivotal moment in a season that remains very much up for grabs. The race promises not only a test of speed but also a strategic battle as teams attempt to extract maximum performance from their evolving machines, making it a must‑watch event for anyone following the sport.