A new star is rapidly taking control of Formula 1’s future. Kimi Antonelli delivered a composed yet commanding performance to clinch victory at the Miami Grand Prix, fending off relentless pressure from Lando Norris to secure his third consecutive win of the 2026 season.
In doing so, the Italian sensation etched his name into the record books—becoming the first driver to convert his first three pole positions into victories.
The race exploded into life immediately as Antonelli was thrown into a three-way battle with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc heading into Turn 1. A dramatic lock-up between the front-runners triggered contact between Verstappen and Leclerc, sending the reigning champion spinning 360 degrees and tumbling down the order.
That early incident set the tone for a race filled with unpredictability.
Further chaos followed as separate crashes involving Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly forced an early Safety Car, compressing the field and opening strategic windows across the grid.
As the race unfolded, the lead changed hands multiple times. Oscar Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, and even a recovering Verstappen all had moments at the front.
But when it mattered most, the fight distilled into a high-pressure duel between Antonelli and Norris.
Lap after lap, the McLaren driver stalked the young Italian, hovering within striking distance. Yet Antonelli showed maturity beyond his years—managing tyre wear, defending smartly, and executing flawlessly under pressure.
When the chequered flag fell, Antonelli crossed the line just 3.264 seconds clear, sealing another landmark victory.
Behind the leading duo, the fight for the podium delivered late-race fireworks.
Piastri surged past Leclerc in a chaotic final stint to snatch third, while the Ferrari driver spun under pressure and slipped down the order. George Russell capitalized to take fourth, while Verstappen recovered to finish fifth despite a post-race investigation looming.
Further back, Lewis Hamilton endured a quiet run to seventh, while Franco Colapinto impressed with points in eighth for Alpine.
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon rounded out the top 10, delivering a solid double-points finish for Williams.
The race also saw multiple retirements, including Hadjar, Gasly, Liam Lawson, and Nico Hulkenberg, highlighting the unforgiving nature of the Miami circuit.
Credit Photo : AMG
