Norris warns Mercedes still ahead despite strong Miami weekend

Lando Norris warned against drawing premature conclusions after McLaren challenged Mercedes at the Miami Grand Prix. The defending champion won the Sprint and finished second to Kimi Antonelli on Sunday, scoring 26 points. However, he stressed that the team should not get carried away, as the circuit suited McLaren more than Mercedes historically.

Why it matters:

McLaren's upgrades showed immediate pace, but Norris' caution highlights the gap to Mercedes over a full season. The Woking-based team is bringing further updates to Montreal, yet consistency across diverse tracks remains the real test for championship ambitions.

The details:

• Norris' reaction: “It's too easy to judge things over one race. You need to see how you are over a number of races and different styles of track.”
• Track factor: Miami has historically favored McLaren and not suited Mercedes, but Mercedes was still very fast.
• Looking ahead: Norris pointed to Canada, where Mercedes has been the best team over the last five or six years, as a truer benchmark.
• Upgrades: McLaren introduced updates in Miami and plans more for Montreal, but Norris wants the team to keep pushing.

What's next:

The F1 circus heads to Canada, a track that traditionally rewards Mercedes. If McLaren can replicate its Miami form there, it will signal a genuine step forward. Otherwise, Norris' caution may prove well-founded.