Toto Wolff on Red Bull's Miami Surprise: 'Huge Step Forward'

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has described Red Bull's performance improvement at the Miami Grand Prix as the "big surprise" of the weekend, acknowledging the Milton Keynes squad's seven-update package transformed Max Verstappen from a midfield runner to a genuine front-row contender. The four-time champion qualified second and finished fifth in both the sprint and main race, a stark contrast to a sluggish start to 2026.

Why it matters:

Red Bull's resurgence reshuffles the competitive order after a dominant McLaren start. With development curves steep in this new regulation cycle, performances are fluctuating race-to-race. Wolff's admission highlights the unpredictability of the season and signals that no lead is safe.

The details:

• Red Bull introduced seven updates, including their interpretation of Ferrari's "Macarena" rear wing.
• Verstappen qualified 0.2s off pole — a huge gain from being 1.2s behind in Japan and 1.0s in China.
• Team principal Laurent Mekies confirmed: "We left Japan 1.2 seconds away from pole, China 1.0 seconds away from pole... to see us qualifying less than two tenths away from pole is a big indication of our progress."
• Meanwhile, McLaren's package was anticipated: Lando Norris took sprint pole before the Woking team secured a 1-2 in the shorter race. Norris finished second in the grand prix, with Oscar Piastri third.

What's next:

Wolff noted Mercedes will bring developments in Canada and expects performance swings throughout the year. "We're only at the beginning of this new regulation cycle, and the development curve is very steep," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. Red Bull's step forward raises the stakes, proving that even a struggling team can leap back into contention with a well-targeted upgrade.