Dominant Performance in Miami
Kimi Antonelli has solidified his position as a championship favorite by securing his third straight victory of the 2026 season at the Miami Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver emerged victorious following a high-stakes duel with reigning world champion Lando Norris at the Miami International Autodrome.
While the race concluded with Antonelli holding off the McLaren challenger, Oscar Piastri took the final spot on the podium. The closing stages were marked by a dramatic collapse from Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, whose race ended in a final-lap spin, allowing George Russell to climb to fourth and Max Verstappen to salvage a sixth-place finish.
Race Dynamics and Early Chaos
Organizers moved the 57-lap event forward by three hours to navigate around a severe weather front, but the race ultimately began in dry conditions. The start proved volatile; polesitter Antonelli struggled with his launch, allowing Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc to challenge for the lead. During the scramble into Turn 1, Antonelli suffered a lock-up, while Verstappen spun on the exit, dropping the Dutchman deep into the pack.
The early phase saw intense battles, with Antonelli and Leclerc swapping the lead repeatedly before the race was neutralized. Two major incidents brought out the safety car:
- Alpine driver Pierre Gasly was involved in a dramatic barrel roll at the Turn 17 hairpin following contact with Liam Lawson; both drivers were forced to retire.
- Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar crashed at the chicane, shearing off his front-left suspension after an unforced error.
Strategic Battles and Final Standings
Following the restart on lap 12, the race settled into a strategic battle on hard tyres. Verstappen attempted an alternative strategy by pitting early, but as the anticipated rain failed to materialize, the race transitioned into a one-stop affair. The contest at the front became a head-to-head battle between Antonelli and Norris.
Despite experiencing minor technical challenges with his downshifts, Antonelli successfully managed his pace and tire wear to maintain the lead. His victory extends his lead over George Russell in the world championship standings to 20 points.
In the closing laps, a struggling Verstappen on worn rubber was overtaken by the chasing group of Leclerc, Piastri, and Russell. While Verstappen defended tenaciously, the Ferrari and McLaren drivers eventually forced their way through. Leclerc appeared set for a podium until his final-lap mistake, which handed the third position to Piastri.
Lewis Hamilton secured a quiet seventh place, ahead of an impressive Franco Colapinto in eighth. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon rounded out the points-paying positions, delivering a double-points finish for Williams. The Formula 1 circus now moves to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve for the Canadian Grand Prix, scheduled for May 22-24.