Martin Brundle publicly backed Lewis Hamilton’s chances with Ferrari in 2026, saying Hamilton’s improved form, better adaptation to the 2026 regulations and a major upgrade package due at the Miami Grand Prix make him capable of winning races and mounting a title challenge. Brundle cited Hamilton’s stronger start to 2026, including his first Ferrari podium in China, and said the new car characteristics suit Hamilton better than last year’s machines. He described the Miami upgrade as a potential turning point for Ferrari.

Brundle contrasted that brighter start with Hamilton’s difficult 2025 debut at Ferrari. Hamilton finished sixth in the drivers’ standings and, for the first time in his career, failed to score a podium. Ferrari slipped from second to fourth in the 2025 constructors’ championship.

Teams began 2026 with Mercedes dominant in the opening races, Kimi Antonelli leading the drivers’ standings and George Russell close behind. Ferrari sit as Mercedes’ closest challengers, with Charles Leclerc third and Hamilton fourth, the latter running closer to Leclerc this year. Brundle said the Miami weekend felt like a ‘relaunch’ of the season after the development break, noting the Miami Sprint and Grand Prix points and the expected parts could reshuffle the pecking order and that rival upgrades might allow teams to leapfrog others. He warned Hamilton will still need to beat teammate Charles Leclerc consistently inside Ferrari to mount a genuine title bid and said the championship remained ‘totally wide open,’ framing his comments as an endorsement rather than a definitive prediction.