Ferrari are expected to be among the squads that could make a significant leap forward in performance at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. The Italian team is keen to narrow the distance to Mercedes, even though the 2026 season is already shaping up to be highly unpredictable at the front of the grid. Brundle likens the return of Formula 1 to the United States after the mandatory April hiatus to a sort of "re‑launch" of the championship.
The enforced break gave every team a rare window of time to tinker with their machinery, resulting in cars that are dramatically altered and, hopefully, markedly improved. Such extensive development could reshuffle the hierarchy, allowing under‑dogs to challenge the established order.
Mercedes, having swept the first three rounds, still sit comfortably as the benchmark to beat. Their drivers, Kimi Antonelli—who currently leads the Drivers' Championship—and his teammate George Russell, have demonstrated a dominant blend of speed and consistency. Ferrari, however, sit just behind the British outfit, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupying third and fourth place respectively, a mere eight points separating them. Their recent duels in China and Japan have been thrilling, with wheel‑to‑wheel battles that have kept fans on the edge of their seats.
When asked about Hamilton’s recent resurgence, 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 that the former appears far more comfortable in the current Ferrari package. "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 Hamilton’s driving style seems better suited to the new generation of cars than to the previous ground‑effect era, which was notoriously harsh on drivers' necks and backs.
"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. "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 emphasized that Hamilton still needs to out‑perform his teammate Charles Leclerc if he hopes to clinch the World Championship, especially given the internal rivalry that has intensified within Ferrari. "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 commentator said. Both drivers have a history of success, but Ferrari have endured a winless spell that stretches back to October 2024, when Carlos Sainz secured a victory in Mexico City.
The upcoming Miami weekend will be the second Sprint event of the season, a format that McLaren have dominated for the past two years. Nonetheless, Mercedes remain the favourites, having achieved a perfect record since the introduction of the new technical regulations in 2026. Brundle cautioned, however, that it is still too early to declare a definitive hierarchy under the new ruleset.
With 19 races still to run, the championship is wide open, and the potential for rapid development means that any team could leapfrog another with a clever aerodynamic upgrade or a breakthrough in power‑unit efficiency. "I think it's totally wide open," he remarked. "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." He went on to suggest that any of the eight drivers currently occupying the top four teams have a realistic shot at the title, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the season. "Anybody I would say in the top four teams, any of those eight drivers, could win this year's world championship," Brundle said. The schedule for the Miami event is packed with action.
Thursday, April 30, will feature the Drivers' Press Conference at 7 p.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 10 p.m. Friday, May 1, includes F2 practice at 2.35 p.m., the first Miami GP practice session at 4.30 p.m., and the Sprint Qualifying later in the evening. Saturday, May 2, sees the F2 Sprint, the Miami GP Sprint, and the qualifying sessions that set the grid for the main race.
Finally, Sunday, May 3, will host the F2 Feature Race, the build‑up to the Grand Prix, the race itself, and post‑race analysis. All of this will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW for viewers who prefer to watch on-demand. The Miami Grand Prix promises to be a pivotal weekend, offering both Sprint and Grand Prix points that could reshape the championship battle.
As teams continue to develop their cars throughout the season, the race will serve as an early indicator of which outfits have successfully adapted to the 2026 regulations and which still have work to do. In summary, while Mercedes currently lead the pack, Ferrari's potential improvement, combined with Hamilton's renewed confidence, could make Miami a turning point. Brundle's assessment highlights the fluidity of the current season and the importance of staying adaptable.
Fans can expect a thrilling weekend of high‑speed action, strategic intrigue, and perhaps a surprise or two as the championship narrative continues to evolve.