The Miami sun was shining, the Ferraris were roaring, and Kimi Antonelli was once again untouchable. The young Italian driver delivered a masterclass performance at the Miami Grand Prix, securing his third consecutive Formula 1 victory of the 2026 season and strengthening his grip on the world championship lead.
In a race that had everything—from an early start to avoid thunderstorms to heart-stopping wheel-to-wheel action—Antonelli emerged victorious over reigning world champion Lando Norris. The McLaren duo of Norris and Oscar Piastri looked threatening throughout, but Antonelli's composure under pressure proved decisive on the streets of Miami.
The drama began before the lights even went out. With ominous storm clouds gathering over the Miami International Autodrome, race organizers moved the start time three hours earlier than scheduled. The gamble paid off, as the 57-lap contest ran entirely in dry conditions, despite the morning downpours that had drenched the circuit.
From the drop of the green flag, chaos reigned. Polesitter Antonelli suffered another sluggish getaway, allowing Max Verstappen's Red Bull and Charles Leclerc's Ferrari to pounce. Leclerc, showing the cunning of a seasoned veteran, took a cautious line into Turn 1 that handed him the lead. Behind them, Verstappen spun spectacularly on the exit, somehow avoiding the chasing pack before dropping to 10th. Meanwhile, the McLarens of Norris and Piastri sliced through the chaos to claim third and fourth, ahead of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
The lead changed hands multiple times in the opening laps, with Antonelli reclaiming the top spot on lap 4, only for Leclerc to fight back immediately. Norris, ever the opportunist, slipped past the Ferrari on the following lap, setting up the battle that would define the race.
The action was briefly halted on lap 5 after a frightening incident. Alpine's Pierre Gasly was flipped into a slow-motion barrel roll at the Turn 17 hairpin after contact with Liam Lawson's Racing Bulls car. Fortunately, Gasly emerged unhurt, but the sight of his car perched against the barriers sent a collective gasp through the paddock.
When racing resumed, Antonelli found his rhythm. Lap after lap, he built a gap, managing his tires with the precision of a driver many years his senior. Norris pushed hard but couldn't find a way past, while Piastri bided his time in third. The pressure told on Leclerc, who faded dramatically in the closing stages, capping a disappointing afternoon with a spin on the final lap. That mistake promoted Russell to fourth and allowed Verstappen to climb to sixth, salvaging valuable points from a chaotic weekend.
For Antonelli, this victory is more than just another trophy. It's a statement of intent. Three wins on the bounce, each one harder-fought than the last, and the championship lead is now firmly his. As the sun set over Miami, the message was clear: the new king of Formula 1 has arrived.