Russell Scores Miami Podium as Antonelli Impresses with P6 Finish

It was another strong outing for the team, continuing a solid start to the season. George’s P3 finish not only marks his fourth podium in six races but also reflects the team’s consistent upward trajectory in the Constructors’ standings, where they now sit second. For Kimi, the weekend showcased both his raw talent and areas for continued growth in his rookie campaign.

Starting P3 on the Medium compound, Antonelli made a lightning start, vaulting into second on the opening lap. However, the pace of the McLarens proved too strong, and he eventually dropped to P4. George, meanwhile, opted for a reverse strategy—starting on the Hard tyre from P5 and playing the long game.

Kimi pitted on Lap 26 for Hards but was hampered by traffic in the pitlane, which cost him the chance to undercut Verstappen. George capitalized on a mid-race Virtual Safety Car to switch to Mediums on Lap 34, rejoining in P3 and setting himself up for a strong finish.

In the final stint, George held off a charging Verstappen with measured pace and composure, clinching a hard-fought podium. Kimi, struggling for grip on the Hards in the second half of the race, slipped to P6 behind a quick Alex Albon in the Williams.

George Russell – P3

“I’m really happy with today’s result. It’s been a tricky weekend for me—I didn’t feel quite as confident in the car compared to previous races. But we executed the strategy well, and the VSC timing worked in our favor.

I had good pace on the Mediums and was able to keep Verstappen at bay. The McLarens are looking very strong, but we’ll keep pushing and aim to close that gap, starting with Imola.”

Kimi Antonelli – P6

“I had a great start and was up to second early on, but the McLarens just had too much pace today. I felt strong on the Mediums but struggled more on the Hard tyres after the pit stop.

There’s still a lot to learn, especially with race management, but I’m happy with my progress. Now I’m really looking forward to Imola—my first home Grand Prix. That’s going to be a special weekend.”

Toto Wolff – Team Principal & CEO

“George delivered another smart, consistent drive to bring home a podium, while Kimi continued to show his potential. He’s gaining vital experience each weekend, and that will only help him long term.

The McLarens were in a league of their own today, but we’re working hard to bring updates and fight back. Imola will be an exciting next chapter—especially for Kimi.”

Andrew Shovlin – Trackside Engineering Director

“The strategy worked perfectly for George. Starting on the Hards gave us flexibility, and we timed the stop well under the VSC. Kimi had the opposite luck—he boxed just before it came out and lost some time in pitlane traffic. Still, he showed great pace in qualifying and continued learning in race trim. We’ve made gains versus Red Bull and Ferrari, but McLaren remains the benchmark. Imola gives us another shot to close that gap.”

Strategy	Start Tyre	Stop 1
No. 63 (Russell)	Hard	Medium (Lap 34)
No. 12 (Antonelli)	Medium	Hard (Lap 26)

With a solid points haul from Miami, the team heads into the European triple-header with renewed focus. First stop: Imola, where Kimi Antonelli will race in front of a home crowd for the very first time. Expect passion, pressure—and the roar of Italian support.