Montoya: Mercedes sent McLaren a strategy warning with Antonelli's Miami win

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes Mercedes sent McLaren a clear strategy warning when Kimi Antonelli won the Miami Grand Prix. The Colombian warns the Woking team that its conservative approach will cost important victories if it doesn't adapt—especially without a dominant car.

Why it matters:

McLaren no longer has the performance advantage it enjoyed last season. To maximize results, race strategy must be aggressive and decisive. Montoya's critique highlights a growing gap between the team's execution and the demands of the current competitive field.

The details:

• Antonelli's win: Montoya called it a "very good statement for Mercedes on strategy." Mercedes was not afraid to be aggressive, similar to Red Bull's approach.
• McLaren's mistake: During the Miami GP, McLaren had a comfortable two-second lead but failed to react when Mercedes pitted for the undercut. Montoya says the team thought they had enough gap and didn't anticipate the out-lap performance difference.
• Need for change: "If they have a car that may have a chance of winning, you need to take risks," Montoya said. He urged McLaren to step up and make bold calls rather than sticking with standard strategies.

What's next:

McLaren is bringing upgrades to upcoming races, but Montoya warns that hardware alone isn't enough. The team must improve its strategic decision-making to turn potential wins into real trophies. Without a superior car, conservative play will leave points on the table.