Mercedes
Antonelli was operating in second early on, however was powerless to carry the sooner McLarens at bay. He then had a gradual pit cease, which was earlier than the VSC got here out. All of that contrived to drop him behind his group mate, Russell benefitting from an inexpensive cease after beginning on the onerous tyre. He got here out simply forward of Verstappen, and managed to remain in entrance of the Dutchman to choose up yet one more podium.
George Russell, third
“I’m actually pleased to return away with P3 as we speak in Miami. I’ve been struggling a little bit greater than traditional this weekend and never felt as snug within the automotive as at earlier races this season. I’ve been a little bit on the again foot however when it mattered, we’ve put in a very good efficiency and are available away with one other robust consequence. Verstappen was shut behind me after we pitted however I felt constructive on the Medium tyre and knew I may handle my tempo to maintain him behind.
“In the end the McLarens had an honest benefit over the remainder of the sector so congratulations to them. It is going to be a troublesome ask to shut them down, however we are going to maintain engaged on doing that, and we’re trying ahead to the upcoming triple header in Europe, beginning at Imola.”
Kimi Antonelli, sixth
“Sadly, we didn’t simply have the tempo as we speak to struggle for far more than what we achieved. I made a very good begin and was operating P2, however the McLarens had an excessive amount of tempo for us, and we dropped behind them. I nonetheless felt good on the Medium compound within the opening stint however I struggled a little bit extra on the Arduous tyre within the second half of the race. Our tempo wasn’t nice and that contributed to our P6 end. We must analyse why that was as a group and see the place we are able to enhance.
“Total, although, I’m happy with how the weekend went. Our qualifying tempo was robust, and it was good to take my first Dash pole place. I’m nonetheless gaining expertise when it comes to my race administration, and I’m certain that may proceed to get higher because the season progresses. I’m now excited for the following race at Imola and my first ever dwelling Grand Prix. I’m certain the ambiance and help will likely be unimaginable, so I’m very a lot trying ahead to the weekend there.”
Toto Wolff, Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
“George drove an excellent race as we speak and did the whole lot he wanted to do to say third. It was one other mature efficiency the place he bought the whole lot out of the automotive that was there. Clearly, the hole to the McLarens was giant although. That’s disappointing however we’re working onerous to convey updates that may hopefully shut that deficit. We’ve seen these efficiency gaps fluctuate over these first six races, and a few weekends different groups get proper within the combine on the entrance, however they’re the group to beat proper now.
“Kimi in the meantime confirmed his expertise this weekend however had a race the place he’ll take away some good learnings. That’s utterly regular for a rookie driver, and one that’s simply 18 years previous. The race administration will come as he continues to construct his expertise and we’re now trying ahead to the upcoming triple-header in Europe. The following race will mark Kimi’s first ever dwelling Grand Prix at Imola and I’m certain he will likely be trying ahead to that.”
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
“Congratulations to George on his fourth podium of the season. We benefited from the deployment of the Digital Security Automotive to leap Verstappen, however that’s all the time one of many upsides of operating lengthy. We had opted to start out George on the Arduous compound in order that we may do that and that call paid off. We additionally estimated the possibility of a moist race at about 50% however, regardless of a cell getting extremely shut, the rain simply handed us by.
“While George benefited from the Digital Security Automotive, Kimi misplaced out having stopped simply earlier than it got here out. We needed to field him to guard from Albon within the Williams who had the possibility to deploy the undercut. Some site visitors within the pit lane price him and finally his tempo on the Arduous tyre consigned him to P6. It has nonetheless been one other good weekend for Kimi although as he continues his growth.
“McLaren have been the category of the sector as soon as once more as we speak and we’re working onerous to shut that hole. Total, we depart Miami happy now we have added extra factors to our tally in comparison with Purple Bull and Ferrari, however figuring out now we have bought work to do if we’re to problem on the very entrance every weekend. Our single lap has been a energy, however we have to enhance our long term tempo. Hopefully we are able to make some good points on this space beginning in Imola in two weeks’ time.”
