Kimi Antonelli produced a composed drive to hold off Lando Norris and win the Miami Grand Prix, extending his championship lead to 20 points. The 19-year-old Italian, in only his second Formula One season, secured his third consecutive victory after taking pole position for the third race in a row.
Antonelli's Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, praised the performance, calling it 'really impressive'. The teenager acknowledged the team's effort, saying: 'This is just the beginning. The road is still long. We are working super hard and the team is doing an incredible job.'
The race turned on a pit stop, with Mercedes executing an undercut that allowed Antonelli to rejoin ahead of Norris. Norris, the defending champion, had hounded Antonelli to the finish but could not find a way past. Oscar Piastri finished third for McLaren, while George Russell was fourth and Max Verstappen fifth after a spin on the opening lap.
Unlike previous rounds, where Mercedes had a dominant car, Antonelli had to fight for this win against a resurgent McLaren and Red Bull. The victory demonstrated his ability to handle pressure, a sign of a future champion according to many observers.
