Miami updates: Red Bull bets on Verstappen, six teams upgrade their cars

Six teams have brought updates for the Miami Grand Prix, the sixth round of the 2025 season. Red Bull stands out with an evolution of its floor on Max Verstappen’s car, while Aston Martin, Mercedes, Alpine, Williams, and Sauber have also introduced changes.

Red Bull: optimize aerodynamic downforce

Unsurprisingly, the Austrian team continues its methodical development. The RB21 receives a revised floor, mainly at the level of the fences and the edge. These modifications, far from revolutionary, aim to gain a few points of aerodynamic support while preserving the stability of the car.

« These developments will bring a measurable gain in terms of performance », confirmed Paul Monaghan, Red Bull’s chief engineer, visibly satisfied with the simulations carried out in Milton Keynes.

However, only Max Verstappen has this update, his teammate Yuki Tsunoda will have to make do with the old specification.

Mercedes: a rear wing adapted to the circuit

On the Brackley side, they have chosen a more track-specific approach for the Florida circuit. The W16 sports a new rear wing with a modified flap profile to reduce camber. The goal is to slightly decrease downforce and drag to gain top speed on Miami’s endless straights, where the cars approach 340 km/h.

This development aims to strengthen the balance that the German team has been pursuing since the beginning of the season.

Aston Martin: Three Aerodynamic Adjustments

Aston Martin has, for its part, introduced three developments: a front wing, a rear wing, and a lower wing. The front wing adopts a less aggressive profile, while the rear wing features a reduced frontal surface with a more conservative design. As for the lower wing, it moves to a single-element configuration, less demanding in terms of downforce but more efficient.

These modifications, specifically designed for the Miami circuit, aim to improve the car’s overall balance while reducing its air resistance. A technical gamble that could prove rewarding on this hybrid track combining fast sections and technical sequences.

Alpine: improve airflow and cooling

The French team, struggling since the beginning of the season, is trying to straighten things out with targeted developments. The engineers at Enstone have revised the front brake ducts and the geometry of the front suspension.

These modifications are aimed at optimizing the local airflow and improving brake cooling, often put to the test on this urban circuit. The front suspension has been completely reprofiled to adapt to these changes, with the hope of improving the quality of flow around the front wheels, a critical area for aerodynamic performance.

Williams and Sauber: Minor Adjustments

With more limited resources, Williams opted for a new lower wing with a shorter chord, a simple adjustment option allowing for reduced downforce and drag. A practical and economical solution, perfectly suited to the long straights of the Floridian circuit.

Sauber, for its part, has merely modified the fairings of its front suspension, seeking to optimize airflow along its car that still struggles to move away from the back of the grid.

New engines for several teams

No fewer than eleven drivers have new power unit components. McLaren has equipped its two drivers, Piastri and Norris, with a new internal combustion engine (ICE), while Mercedes has done the same for Russell and rookie Antonelli. At Aston Martin, Stroll and Alonso are also receiving their second unit of the season. Williams follows suit with Albon and Sainz, as does Sauber with Hülkenberg and young Bortoleto. On the Haas side, only Ocon benefits from a new Ferrari engine.

These changes do not only concern the internal combustion engine. All these drivers also have a new turbocharger (TC), a new MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit – Heat) and a new MGU-K (Motor Generator Unit – Kinetic). The same goes for the exhaust systems, with the notable difference that Ocon is already on his third unit.

Furthermore, Alonso also replaced his energy store (ES) and control electronics (CE) after the Sprint race on Saturday, two components limited to only two instances per season according to Article 28.2 of the regulations.