Ferrari is poised to be one of the squads likely to make a substantial performance jump at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, as they aim to narrow the deficit to Mercedes in what promises to remain a highly unpredictable 2026 season, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. Brundle likens the United States round to a "relaunch" of the championship after the mandatory April hiatus, noting that the extended break has given every team a rare window to refine their radically altered cars. He believes these developments could reshuffle the hierarchy, with teams potentially unveiling markedly faster machinery. Mercedes, having swept the first three events, enters the weekend as the benchmark to beat.
Their drivers, championship frontrunner Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have already secured a clean sweep of victories, reinforcing the British outfit's dominance. Close on Mercedes' heels are Ferrari and its two star drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who sit eight points behind the leading duo in the Drivers' Championship.
Their recent duels in China and Japan have been thrilling, with wheel‑to‑wheel battles that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Regarding Hamilton, who finally broke his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari in Shanghai before a more modest sixth‑place finish at Suzuka while Leclerc took third, Brundle told Sky Sports News: "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more. Ferrari feels more competitive now, and I think they'll make a big step for Miami." He added that Hamilton seems to thrive in the current generation of cars, contrasting them with the previous ground‑effect era, which he described as "brutal" and ill‑suited to Hamilton's driving style.
"His mood is noticeably better, and he looks happier because the car is giving him a real chance," Brundle said. "He still has to beat Charles Leclerc if he wants the world title, but if a victory is within reach, Lewis is certainly capable of snatching it." Both drivers have experienced a winless spell this year; Hamilton's last triumph came while he was still at Mercedes, and Leclerc's most recent victory dates back to 2024, when Ferrari's drought began after Carlos Sainz's win in Mexico City. The calendar now turns to Miami, which will host the season's second Sprint weekend. McLaren has claimed the Sprint victory in each of the past two years, yet Mercedes remains the favorite thanks to its perfect record since the introduction of the new 2026 regulations.
Brundle cautions, however, that it is still too early in the development cycle of the new rulebook to declare a definitive order. With 19 races remaining, the championship landscape is fluid.
"I think it's totally wide open," he remarked. "We have a Sprint weekend in Miami, so there are Sprint points and Grand Prix points on the line. This will ebb and flow; teams will leapfrog each other as upgrades are introduced because the upside potential of these cars is massive.
Any of the top four teams, any of those eight drivers, could realistically capture the world title this year." The weekend schedule is packed: Thursday features a drivers' press conference at 7 pm, followed by a paddock‑uncut interview at 10 pm. Friday includes F2 practice, Miami GP practice, F2 qualifying, a team bosses' press conference, and the Sprint qualifying session. Saturday sees the F2 sprint, the Miami Sprint race, and the build‑up to the Grand Prix qualifying. Sunday culminates with the F2 feature race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the Miami Grand Prix itself, and post‑race analysis.
Fans can follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp for the latest updates, videos, and in‑depth analysis. The race will be streamed live on Sky Sports F1, and viewers can also watch via the NOW platform without a long‑term contract. Brundle's optimism underscores the excitement surrounding the Miami event: a chance for Ferrari to close the gap, for Hamilton to rediscover his winning form, and for the championship to remain anyone's game as the season unfolds.