Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured his third straight Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix, holding off a determined challenge from McLaren’s Lando Norris in an enthralling race-long battle. The 19-year-old Italian’s triumph extends his championship advantage to 20 points over teammate George Russell, who could only manage fourth place behind McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Antonelli becomes the first driver in F1 history to win his opening three grands prix in consecutive races, all from pole position.
Despite another sluggish getaway that has plagued Antonelli throughout the season, the young Mercedes star recovered brilliantly from early pressure. Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari and Max Verstappen initially challenged for the lead, but Verstappen’s championship hopes took a significant blow when he spun 360 degrees at Turn Two after contact with Leclerc, dropping him to 10th position and effectively ending Red Bull’s chances of victory on a weekend where they appeared to regain competitiveness.
The race featured the characteristic “yo-yo racing” of the 2026 season, with positions constantly changing due to varying battery charge rates among the hybrid power units. After Leclerc briefly led the early stages, Norris seized control following a safety car period triggered by separate incidents involving Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull and Pierre Gasly’s Alpine, which spectacularly somersaulted after contact with Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls at the final corner.
The battle ultimately distilled into a compelling duel between Antonelli and Norris, with both drivers managing their strategies while anticipating rain that was forecast for mid-race but never materialized beyond a few light spots. Mercedes’ decision to pit first proved decisive, allowing Antonelli to reclaim the lead and maintain his perfect winning streak despite the constant pressure from the rejuvenated McLaren package, which showed significant improvement following their latest upgrade package.
