Piastri warns McLaren's Miami surge may be temporary as Mercedes prepares Canada response

Oscar Piastri has urged caution despite McLaren’s Miami breakthrough, with Mercedes expected to respond in Canada.

McLaren overhauled Ferrari as Mercedes’ closest challenger at the Miami Grand Prix, claiming a 1-2 in the Sprint and joining Kimi Antonelli on the grand prix podium. It was the team’s best result of the season, powered by seven new parts including a completely new floor. McLaren not only ended Ferrari’s podium run but also outscored Mercedes for the first time this year, 48 to 45 points.

Why it matters:

McLaren’s sudden leap forward has shaken up the 2026 pecking order, but the team’s gains came at a circuit that historically suits them. Mercedes, meanwhile, held back its major upgrade package for Montreal, leaving the true competitive picture unclear.

The details:

• McLaren’s step forward: Lando Norris took pole and Sprint victory ahead of Piastri, who finished second in the Sprint and third in the grand prix behind Antonelli. Piastri called the pace a “welcome return to form.”
• Mercedes’ response: The Brackley squad introduced only two new parts in Miami. Its big update will debut at the Canadian Grand Prix, a track where Mercedes has been dominant over the past five to six years.
• Piastri’s caution: “We need to see where we stack up at a few different tracks,” he said. “Mercedes didn’t bring a lot this weekend, and they also have an upgrade package for Canada. We’ll have to wait and see how much that’s worth for them.”
• Norris’ perspective: The winner acknowledged the weekend’s success but warned against overreaction: “It’s too easy to judge things over one race. We’ve had a very good weekend, but we still need to keep pushing.”

What's next:

McLaren will also bring upgrades to Montreal, but both drivers stress that real progress will be measured across multiple track types. The Canadian Grand Prix will be the first true test of whether McLaren can sustain its challenge or whether Mercedes’ response will restore the status quo.