Lando Norris secured his first Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix, marking McLaren’s first win since the 2021 Italian Grand Prix. McLaren’s remarkable turnaround from their previous season’s position has been praised, with advancements propelling them ahead of Aston Martin and Mercedes, occasionally challenging front-runners like Red Bull and Ferrari.
George Russell, speaking on behalf of Mercedes, acknowledged McLaren’s success as a source of motivation while highlighting the urgent need for his team to make swift adjustments following a disappointing start to the season. Despite Mercedes’ last victory at the 2022 Brazilian GP with Russell, the team struggled in Miami, with Lewis Hamilton finishing sixth and Russell settling for eighth.
Russell admitted uncertainty regarding the cause of Mercedes’ issues in Miami, acknowledging their current standing as the fourth-fastest team. The substantial 80-point gap to McLaren in the constructors’ championship underscored their challenges, though team principal Toto Wolff found positives in McLaren’s victory, emphasizing the importance of consistent upgrades and diligent work.
Wolff conceded that Mercedes’ W15 car had shown improvement earlier in the season but described the journey as a “painful learning curve.” He noted strengths in high-speed performance but acknowledged deficiencies in low-speed handling, emphasizing the necessity for a balanced car across all conditions. Despite ongoing challenges, Wolff expressed optimism about the team’s progress and the encouraging direction of their development efforts.
Mercedes intensified their upgrade efforts in Miami, introducing several enhancements, including a new floor and edge wing arrangement. Wolff characterized this as an “all-in” endeavor from the design office, reflecting the team’s commitment to closing the performance gap and regaining competitiveness in the championship.