In a challenging race for Mercedes, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli struggled with tire degradation issues, ultimately finishing in fifth and sixth positions respectively. The team's hopes of securing a podium were dashed as overheating tires limited their pace. Russell faced pressure from Leclerc and Norris, who capitalized on fresher rubber to overtake him, while Antonelli showcased resilience by holding off Hamilton despite an early brush with the wall. Team principal Toto Wolff expressed disappointment with the performance, emphasizing the need for improvements before the upcoming Miami race.

The race began promisingly for Mercedes, with Russell positioned third in the opening stages. Initially comfortable on medium tires, he encountered difficulties when switching to hard compounds, which degraded more rapidly than anticipated. This setback allowed Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris to gain the upper hand. Throughout the race, Russell was concerned about whether his tires would last until the finish line but managed to secure fifth place. His teammate Antonelli followed closely behind in sixth, demonstrating commendable control despite clipping the wall at one point during the race.

Russell recounted that the evening was primarily about managing overheating tires, which proved problematic. He attempted to keep pace with Max Verstappen early in the second stint but soon realized it was unattainable. Efforts to conserve tire wear were insufficient against competitors like Leclerc and Norris, who benefited from newer tires. Consequently, Russell's tires suffered significant drop-off, forcing him to focus solely on bringing the car home safely. Acknowledging the lack of speed that evening, Russell emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges swiftly.

Antonelli shared similar struggles, particularly with understeer during the initial phase on medium tires. Early signs of front tire degradation affected their overall performance, though they improved somewhat after switching to hard tires post-pit stop. In the final ten laps, Antonelli demonstrated competitive speed, yet continuous overheating necessitated careful management. Despite these obstacles, Antonelli viewed the race as a valuable learning experience, looking forward to recovery time ahead of the Miami event. He remains committed alongside the team to enhance their standing this season.

Toto Wolff lamented the team's weakest showing thus far, attributing it to substantial tire overheating that hindered their progress. Initially aiming for a podium finish, they had to settle for fifth and sixth places due to these constraints. Wolff urged thorough analysis to identify underlying causes and implement necessary enhancements promptly. With several hot races approaching, including Miami, resolving tire management issues is paramount for consistent front-running competition.

Though disappointed with the outcome, the team acknowledges their consistent accumulation of points across the first five races. This foundation provides encouragement moving forward, highlighting the necessity of building upon it to achieve greater success. Their immediate focus lies in rectifying tire-related problems ahead of the next race in Miami, where they aim to demonstrate marked improvement and contend more effectively.