Wolff asserts that the Mercedes upgrade for Canada 'must succeed.'

      Kimi Antonelli has etched his name in the history books by becoming the first driver to turn his initial three pole positions into wins. At just 19 years old, he now holds a 20-point lead in the championship over his teammate George Russell. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali commended the young Italian’s swift progress, stating, "Grand Prix after Grand Prix, Kimi is proving his worth," during an interview with Sky Italia. "The remarkable aspect is his increasing self-awareness. As he climbs higher, the competition intensifies, necessitating a deeper understanding of how to perform under pressure."

      Italian media highlighted the importance of Antonelli's achievement in light of McLaren’s robust upgrades showcased in Miami. La Gazzetta dello Sport noted, "Kimi has accomplished a remarkable feat, akin to the legends, achieving victory without having the fastest car," adding that this weekend marked McLaren’s resurgence. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that his team faced challenges in Miami, mentioning, "The car wasn’t upgraded to the same extent as the McLarens." He added, "A major update is on its way for Canada. We need to ensure its effectiveness. It’s easy to claim ‘we'll be faster’ on paper, but it must translate to performance on the track."

      Wolff also recognized that Antonelli is still developing as a driver. "We could have avoided the penalty yesterday," he remarked. "He’s testing the limits, but I prefer an aggressive driver over one who is overly cautious." Simultaneously, the Mercedes chief took accountability for persistent issues with race starts, stating, "That’s unacceptable if we aim to win a World Championship. We must get our starts right. This responsibility lies fully with the team; the drivers aren’t at fault. Both drivers suffer, and that’s not tolerable. We need to manage this as a team."

      For Russell, the Miami race posed significant challenges with increasing scrutiny. "It’s definitely not enjoyable," he responded when asked about the widening points gap. "I want to win against him, and he wants to win against me." He acknowledged that it had been a tough time. "I won’t deny it, but I stand here with my head high. I haven’t lost my driving skills. This circuit has always been demanding for me." He expressed eagerness to tackle more familiar tracks ahead.

      Russell dismissed any notion that he underestimates his young teammate. "No, absolutely not; you can’t underestimate him," he stated. "He’s a phenomenal driver, impressively fast from day one. You can’t secure all the championships as a young driver without having the necessary speed. However, I remain optimistic. It was just a challenging weekend, and we’ve only completed four races. There's still a lot ahead."

      Wolff supported his more seasoned driver, saying, "There will always be races where one driver is stronger one moment and weaker the next. That can shift back just as quickly. Both drivers are incredibly talented, and I’m glad to have them on the team." At McLaren, CEO Zak Brown indicated that the development battle is ongoing. "Certainly, there’s more to come, but the others will be progressing as well," he remarked. "Mercedes hasn’t brought any upgrades yet, so we’ll see what they introduce. We still have some surprises of our own."

      Finally, Max Verstappen stated that Red Bull's improvements during Miami were insufficient to contend for victory. "Certainly not. I finished 40 seconds behind – a spin doesn’t equate to 40 seconds," he said when asked if his early 360-degree spin impacted his race.