After a disappointing weekend for Ferrari at the Miami Grand Prix, Karun Chandhok and David Croft discussed whether the Italian team’s 2026 season is in trouble on the F1 Show podcast.
After F1’s forced five-week hiatus, Ferrari brought a major upgrade package to Miami, leading to high expectations, but the results were disappointing.
McLaren’s upgrade package had an even more significant impact as the reigning constructors’ champion dominated the sprint events before Kimi Antonelli won the Grand Prix for Mercedes, an ominous result considering the Silver Arrows have postponed their mass car changes until the next race in Canada.
There were extenuating circumstances behind Lewis Hamilton’s sixth place and Charles Leclerc’s eighth place in the race, but Ferrari’s overall performance has heightened doubts about its ability to fight for the title this season.
Sky Sports F1’s Chandhok said: “If it’s a big upgrade for Ferrari early in the season, McLaren and Mercedes won’t be worried.”
“Miami was supposed to be the weekend that pushed them forward, and I feel like they fell behind.
“For me, there should be a little bit of concern for Maranello and Ferrari.”
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Highlights of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix.
Leclerc was on track to finish fourth when he spun and got stuck in the barrier on the penultimate lap, while Hamilton continued for almost the entire race despite sustaining damage from an early collision with Alpine’s Franco Colapinto.
It is understood that McLaren plans to introduce another upgrade to Canada, but it is unclear whether Ferrari plans to do the same or whether they will have to wait until later in the season for another significant package.
Chandhok continued: “They have to think about whether there are any further performance optimizations or unlocks with this update, because otherwise they will be left behind when McLaren adds parts that we think they’re going to bring to Canada, or when Mercedes makes significant upgrades.”
Is a small turbo a problem for Ferrari?
Ferrari’s biggest strength in the opening race was a quick start, with Leclerc also making a great escape in Miami to take the lead.
Hamilton was also in a position to gain some places at the start, but was seriously hampered by Max Verstappen, who was spinning in front of him.
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Ted Kravitz takes a closer look at all the upgrades made by McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
Ferrari’s high speeds are understood to be aided by the turbo section of its power unit, which is understood to be smaller than those produced by rival manufacturers Mercedes and Red Bull.
While the power unit clearly helps Ferrari at the start, Hamilton has said several times that the lack of power compared to his rivals has made it difficult throughout the race.
Sky Sports F1’s David Croft said: “I don’t know what’s going on with Ferrari. That little turbo is good on the opening laps, but they burn through the fuel with the other cars so they don’t get the advantage of that little turbo, so maybe that’s a disadvantage for them?”
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Watch the opening lap of the Miami Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc takes the lead, Max Verstappen spins and Lewis Hamilton gets damaged.
“Could Lewis Hamilton have done more without losing all his downforce early on?
“I hope somewhere at Maranello there is another upgrade package that works a little better, otherwise they will be in trouble.”
F1 then heads to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and Sprint Weekend. Watch Sky Sports F1 live from 22nd to 24th May. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
