Kimi Antonelli delivered a masterful performance to win the 2026 Miami Formula One Grand Prix, holding off a determined Lando Norris to extend his championship lead. The Italian driver, who turns 20 in August, secured his third victory in four races this season, crossing the line ahead of Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Race Summary
The race, which was moved forward due to the threat of rain, saw Antonelli take the lead after a crucial pit stop undercut on Norris. Despite concerns over his gearbox and rear tyres, the Mercedes driver managed his pace expertly to keep Norris at bay. The final laps saw Charles Leclerc spin dramatically, allowing Piastri to snatch third place, while George Russell and Max Verstappen also capitalised.
Key Moments
- Antonelli pitted on lap 27, rejoining behind Verstappen but quickly overtaking him to take the lead.
- Norris struggled to close the gap after being undercut, finishing second.
- Leclerc's late spin cost him a podium, dropping to sixth.
- Verstappen's early pit stop on hard tyres proved costly as he faded to fifth.
Driver Standings After Miami GP
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 100 points
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 80 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 63 points
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 51 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 49 points
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 43 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 26 points
Antonelli's victory extends his lead to 20 points over teammate Russell. The Italian now has 100 points from four races, putting him in a commanding position in the championship. Speaking after the race, Antonelli praised his team's strategy, saying, 'The team did a great strategy... we managed to bring it home even though it wasn't easy.' Norris admitted McLaren should have pitted first, stating, 'We just got undercut. We should have boxed first.'
The race was held under overcast skies, but the predicted storms failed to materialise, allowing a dry race throughout. The next round of the Formula One season will take place in two weeks at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
