Kimi Antonelli has done it again, storming to victory at the Miami Grand Prix to claim his third consecutive win and open up a commanding 20-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell in the championship standings.
The 19-year-old Italian made history in Florida, becoming the first driver ever to convert his opening three pole positions into race victories.
It’s a remarkable achievement that puts him in elite company, joining former world champions Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen as just the third driver to win his first three grands prix back-to-back.
Lando Norris had to settle for second place for McLaren, with Oscar Piastri completing the podium in third.
Kimi Antonelli stormed to victory to make history in F1 at the Miami Grand Prix
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Mercedes have now won all four races this season, putting pre-season favourite Russell firmly in the shade.
The race itself was pure chaos from the very first corner.
Charles Leclerc made a blistering start from fourth on the grid, going three-wide with Verstappen and Antonelli into Turn One before snatching the lead.
But disaster struck for the four-time world champion moments later when he lost control on the kerb at Turn Two, spinning a full 360 degrees with the entire field bearing down on him.
Verstappen dropped to tenth and was effectively out of victory contention.
Kimi Antonelli has extended his lead at the top of the championship by 20 points
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Things got even more dramatic on lap six when the safety car was deployed following two separate incidents.
Isack Hadjar crashed his Red Bull into the barrier at the final chicane, while Pierre Gasly’s Alpine was flipped over after Liam Lawson collided with him at the final corner.
Gasly walked away unscathed, though the images looked frightening.
The race ultimately came down to pit strategy, and Mercedes got it spot on.
With rain threatening but never quite arriving, the Silver Arrows made their move on lap 24, bringing Antonelli in for fresh tyres while Norris stayed out.
McLaren waited another three laps before pitting their man, still nervous about the weather forecast.
A WILD RIDE for Charles Leclerc! 😱🔄#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/6LvWjJGzpb
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2026
It proved to be the decisive moment of the afternoon.
Antonelli used his fresher rubber to build enough of a gap, emerging ahead when Norris finally rejoined the track.
Despite the McLaren sitting within a second for much of the remaining laps, and Antonelli battling gearshift problems and overheating rear tyres, the young Italian held firm and pulled clear in the closing stages.
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are both facing FIA investigations
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Antonelli was thrilled with how things played out, saying: “The team did a great strategy. We did a massive undercut and we managed to bring it home even though it was not easy.”
He added: “This is just the beginning. The road is still long. We are working super hard and the team is doing an incredible job. Without them, I wouldn’t be here, so thanks to them and my family.”
Norris, meanwhile, couldn’t hide his disappointment.
A HAT-TRICK of wins for Kimi Antonelli! 🏆🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/2z2fPVL1Zq
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 3, 2026
“We got undercut, no excuses,” he admitted. “We should have boxed first. As a team we have to be happy, I am gutted to miss out on a win. It was possible today.”
George Russell salvaged fourth after a late battle with Verstappen, who finished fifth following his early spin.
Charles Leclerc ended up sixth after spinning and hitting the barrier while scrapping with Piastri.
