Mercedes, 2025 Miami GP: the 6th round of the F1 season, featuring a Sprint Race. For the Brackley team, this is a strategic event, on a circuit that rewards traction and mechanical balance. The American track, designed around the Hard Rock Stadium, features six low-speed corners where the W16 will aim to maximise rear mechanical grip. The biggest challenge lies in Sector 1, with its medium-speed corners.
Less stiffness to improve performance in Sectors 2 and 3
Sector 1 is one of the main difficulties for the Brackley single-seater. Mercedes may opt for slightly softer suspension than its rivals, aiming to enhance the car’s mechanical behaviour in slower sections. This choice will come at a small cost in Sector 1, as it will be harder to stabilise ride height — a key factor for maximising ground effect.
In the fastest section of the track, the W16 might struggle slightly to generate the desired downforce from the floor. In contrast, between Sectors 2 and 3 — where most of the slow corners are located — the British car will have an opportunity to shine. This is where mechanical grip becomes critical, aided by a softer rear that supports roll at the back of the car.
Such behaviour provides better dynamic camber gain when exiting corners, translating into superior traction. This phase will be the foundation upon which the Brackley squad builds its performance over the American weekend. With strong acceleration out of slow corners, the W16 can gain time even down the straights, helping to recover ground lost in Sector 1.
2025 Miami GP: Work to improve tyre use at the start of stints
When it comes to tyre management, Mercedes arrives with decent credentials. The doubts from Jeddah remain, but the team admitted they got the setup wrong for managing the tyres there. To maximise potential, the team will ask its drivers to be more aggressive on fresh tyres. The goal is to extract more performance in the early laps of a stint, using the long straights to keep tyre temperatures under control.
This will be key to narrowing the early gap to rivals and strategically managing track position. To optimise this phase, analysing data from Saturday’s Sprint Race will be essential. Engineers will study tyre behaviour over race pace, paying close attention to static angles. Based on those findings, targeted adjustments will be made to improve tyre contact with the asphalt.
Even small changes could make a big difference in performance between the two qualifying sessions over the U.S. weekend, especially on a circuit where track temperatures can vary significantly. So far, the car appears to adapt well to changing tarmac conditions — unlike last season — and warmer weather might actually suit Mercedes this time.
Mercedes, drag resistance under control?
In addition to adjusting suspension geometry, the beam wing angle will be reviewed if needed. This tweak aims to maximise EOSS (End Of Straight Speed), or top speed at the end of straights. Up to now, the W16 has shown some limitations in aerodynamic efficiency in medium-low downforce configurations — it’s worth remembering.
That’s why every detail matters to minimise drag without compromising stability under braking. The Miami weekend looks to be a particularly delicate one for Mercedes, who — beyond McLaren — will also have to contend with a resurgent Ferrari. The Scuderia aims straight for the podium while waiting for upgrades to take a further technical step forward.
That’s why there’s hope the German team can find a good balance in race pace with a high fuel load. If the team can capitalise on its strengths — traction and tyre management — it could aim for a strong result. The target is to fight for the top positions, where Red Bull with Verstappen will also be a major rival.
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