Kimi Antonelli delivered a masterclass performance at the Miami Grand Prix, clinching his third consecutive victory and solidifying his position at the top of the standings. The Italian youthful sensation leveraged a well-timed pit-stop to outpace reigning champion Lando Norris, fending off intense pressure to stretch his championship lead to 20 points ahead of teammate George Russell.
Antonelli, 19, has been on a remarkable streak this season, capturing wins in China and Japan before a break caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds. Undeterred by the layoff, he returned to claim pole position and convert it into a commanding race win — becoming the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1952 to achieve three consecutive victories.
Norris, who had secured victory in Saturday’s sprint race, emerged as a formidable contender with his upgraded McLaren but was ultimately unable to close the gap to Antonelli despite a strong challenge throughout the race.
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Max Verstappen encountered early trouble, spinning on the first lap and dropping to fifth place by the finish. Oscar Piastri secured a solid third position, with George Russell recovering to fourth despite a challenging weekend. Charles Leclerc’s late-race spin relegated him to sixth, followed closely by Lewis Hamilton in seventh.
Race officials moved the start forward by three hours to avoid afternoon thunderstorms, and while intermittent rain threatened, no changes were made to tire strategy. The race unfolded under clear skies after an early morning thunderstorm passed over Miami Gardens.
The opening stages were fraught with drama, including a tense three-wide battle involving pole-sitter Antonelli, Verstappen, and Leclerc. Verstappen’s spin on the second corner set the tone for a turbulent race. The safety car was deployed on lap seven following crashes by Isack Hadjar and, more dramatically, Pierre Gasly — whose car flipped but fortunately resulted in no injuries.
As the race resumed, Norris took command on lap 13, overtaking Leclerc and opening a sizeable gap at the front. Antonelli maintained a fierce chase but managed to execute a crucial undercut during the pit stops, pitting a lap earlier than Norris to emerge ahead and maintain his lead.
Despite Norris’s relentless pursuit, the Italian driver’s composure and speed ensured he crossed the finish line first, showcasing his credentials as a leading title contender. Norris accepted the outcome gracefully, acknowledging the strategic misstep at the stops but remaining confident about his future prospects.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s one-stop strategy failed to pay off as he struggled on older tires, allowing Piastri, Russell, and Leclerc to overtake. Leclerc’s late spin shuffled the final points positions, handing Russell and Verstappen additional places in the closing corners.
Antonelli’s continuing dominance signals an exciting title battle ahead, with the young Italian combining speed, strategy, and resilience to outclass a competitive field.