Kimi Antonelli’s win in Miami kept Mercedes on a flawless four‑race streak, yet the weekend revealed a tightening field. McLaren’s Lando Norris snagged the first non‑Mercedes pole, while Oscar Piastri finished second in the Sprint.

Mercedes introduced only two updates to the W16, whereas McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari launched seven, seven and eleven new parts respectively. The move‑heavy upgrades shifted the competitive picture, with Ferrari’s 11 parts failing to secure a podium.

Red Bull’s RB22 showed a “definitive step forward”, dropping from 1.2 seconds off pole in Japan to a six‑tenths swing in qualifying. The gap to Mercedes narrowed, signalling a developing midfield battle.

With a 2½‑week lull before Canada, teams will likely deploy further upgrades. The Miami results suggest the front‑row advantage is at risk, and the season’s rhythm may shift as rivals close the performance gap.