Ferrari is expected to be one of the teams that could make a significant performance leap at the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, as they aim to narrow the deficit to Mercedes in what promises to be a highly competitive 2026 season, according to Sky Sports F1 analyst Martin Brundle. Brundle likens the return of Formula One to the United States after the mandatory April hiatus to a "relaunch" of the championship.
The enforced break has given every outfit extra time to develop their cars, which have been dramatically altered under the new regulations. He believes these updates could reshuffle the hierarchy, allowing teams to close gaps that appeared insurmountable earlier in the year. Mercedes, having secured victories in all three races so far, enters the Miami event as the clear benchmark.
Their drivers, championship leader Kimi Antonelli and teammate George Russell, have demonstrated a level of dominance that sets a high bar for the rest of the field. Close on Mercedes' heels are Ferrari and its two drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, who sit eight points behind in the drivers' standings, occupying third and fourth places. Their recent battles in China and Japan have been thrilling, with wheel‑to‑wheel duels that highlighted the competitiveness of both cars and drivers. Regarding Hamilton, Brundle noted that the former Mercedes driver finally broke his Grand Prix podium drought for Ferrari in Shanghai, the second round of the season.
Although Hamilton struggled at Suzuka, finishing sixth while Leclerc took third, Brundle observed that Hamilton appears far more comfortable in the current Ferrari package. "Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more," he said. "Ferrari is more competitive and I think again will make a big step for Miami." Brundle added that Hamilton’s driving style seems better suited to the modern aerodynamic philosophy than to the previous era of aggressive ground‑effect cars, which he described as "brutal" and less compatible with Hamilton’s approach. The British driver’s mood, according to Brundle, has noticeably improved, reflecting the heightened competitiveness of his new team.
He emphasized that Hamilton still has a realistic chance of taking victories if he can consistently challenge Leclerc. "He’s got to beat Charles Leclerc if he’s going to win the world championship in the other Ferrari, and others," Brundle explained. "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." Ferrari’s recent history adds context to the conversation. The team’s last win came in October 2024 when Carlos Sainz triumphed in Mexico City, and they have endured a victory drought since then.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc have secured race wins this season, but the gap to Mercedes remains a focal point for the Scuderia. The Miami weekend will also feature the second Sprint race of the year, a format McLaren has mastered by winning the past two editions.
Nevertheless, Mercedes remains the favorite, having achieved a perfect winning record in the new‑regulation era that began in 2026. Brundle cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about the pecking order, noting that the season is still in its early stages under the new technical rules. With 19 races still to contest, there is ample opportunity for teams to leapfrog each other through upgrades and strategic development. "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 Miami Grand Prix weekend is packed with action. Thursday, April 30, will host the drivers' press conference at 7 pm, followed by the paddock uncut segment at 10 pm. Friday, May 1, features F2 practice at 2:35 pm, the first Miami GP practice session at 4:30 pm, F2 qualifying at 7:25 pm, a team bosses' press conference at 8:10 pm, and the Sprint qualifying session beginning at 9:30 pm.
Saturday, May 2, includes the F2 sprint at 2:55 pm, a build‑up to the Miami GP sprint at 4 pm, the sprint itself at 5 pm, and a series of post‑race analysis shows throughout the evening, culminating in the Grand Prix qualifying session at 9 pm. Sunday, May 3, will see the F2 feature race at 5:25 pm, a build‑up to the main Grand Prix at 7 pm, the Miami Grand Prix start at 9 pm, and a post‑race reaction segment at 11 pm, followed by a final wrap‑up notebook at midnight. All events will be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event and streamed via NOW, with no contractual commitment required.
In summary, Brundle’s outlook is that while Mercedes currently leads the pack, the combination of Ferrari’s potential upgrades, Hamilton’s renewed confidence, and the inherent variability of the new regulations could produce a season where any of the top four teams—and their drivers—have a genuine shot at the championship title.