Max Verstappen Faces Challenges in Miami Grand Prix, Revealing Red Bull’s Limitations

The 2025 Miami Grand Prix was a thrilling event filled with intense battles and outstanding performances. However, one driver’s struggle stood out – Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. Despite securing pole position on Saturday, Verstappen found himself unable to match the race pace of his rivals from McLaren.

Verstappen’s Single-Lap Advantage Not Enough Against McLaren’s Race Pace

In an interview after Verstappen’s pole lap, McLaren team boss Andrea Stella commented that Red Bull creates “a narrative.” While the RB21 may be a formidable car on a single lap, it lacks the tools necessary to maintain pace over a full race. This became evident during the Miami Grand Prix as Verstappen struggled with tyre degradation compared to his rivals.

The virtual safety car timing and an older engine didn’t help Verstappen’s cause, making the Miami weekend a challenging one for the Dutch driver. However, it was clear that Red Bull is not yet at the level required to compete with McLaren.

Norris Misses Opportunity to Pass Verstappen in Miami

Lando Norris also faced challenges during the race, missing an opportunity to pass Verstappen early on due to a mistake in Turn 1 and falling back as far as sixth position. Had he handled the situation differently, Norris might have had another chance to overtake Verstappen, given McLaren‘s superior pace compared to Red Bull.

Although Norris recovered quickly with strong moves on Albon’s Williams and the Mercedes cars of George Russell and Antonelli, the start proved to be the decisive moment of his race. Despite having a shot at redemption when he caught Verstappen after Piastri took the lead, Norris ultimately had to settle for second place as Piastri cruised to his third consecutive win.

Williams Emerges as Midfield Contender in Constructors’ Championship

Meanwhile, Williams continued its impressive progress, with Carlos Sainz impressing by fighting Ferraris on merit during the Miami race. While Williams may not be consistently the fourth-fastest team this year, their highs suggest they should stay ahead of their main midfield rivals.

Ferrari’s Struggles Continue in 2025

Ferrari, on the other hand, continued to struggle, with Charles Leclerc expressing frustration after qualifying. Despite expectations being reasonably high and a redesigned car, is failing to catch its supposed rivals and is even falling behind. With massive regulation changes coming in 2026, it might be time for to shift resources to the next project.

Antonelli Impresses in Miami Grand Prix

Finally, Andrea Kimi Antonelli continued to impress, securing pole for the sprint and outperforming his Mercedes teammate George Russell during the race. While Russell still finished higher, it’s clear that Antonelli is a rising star in Formula 1. His first podium is coming soon.