Miami GP: Kimi Antonelli holds off Lando Norris to claim third successive win and extend championship lead
Kimi Antonelli claims third successive race win to extend world championship lead to 20 points; Lando Norris second and Oscar Piastri third as McLaren claim double podium; George Russell salvages fourth to limit title-battle damage after two late passes
Sunday 3 May 2026 23:16, UK
Kimi Antonelli beat Lando Norris to victory in a thrilling Miami Grand Prix to claim his third successive race win and extend his world championship lead to 20 points.
As had been the case in his previous two victories, Antonelli was unable to hold the lead from pole position as he dropped to third in the early stages, but the Mercedes driver regained the lead by pulling off an undercut at the only round of pit stops, overtaking Norris as they went wheel-to-wheel at the pit exit before holding off the McLaren in a tense finale.
The 19-year-old Italian becomes just the third driver to have claimed his first three Grand Prix victories consecutively, following in the footsteps of former world champions Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen.
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Antonelli's team-mate George Russell was able to limit the damage on a weekend where he was never able to match the Italian's pace, passing Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in a chaotic finale to claim fourth, meaning the gap between the Mercedes pair at the top of the standings grew from seven to 20 points.
Antonelli said: "The pace was strong. I was able to stay close. The team did a great strategy. We did a massive undercut and we managed to bring it home, even though it was not easy."
"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. I'm going to enjoy this one then get back to work."
Oscar Piastri also passed Leclerc on the penultimate lap to seal a double podium for McLaren, completing a solid weekend for the reigning constructors' champions after Norris led a one-two for them in Saturday's Sprint as their major upgrade package resulted in a significant upturn.
Verstappen, also enjoying more speed from Red Bull's considerable upgrade package, had to settle for fifth after an uncharacteristic spin at the start saw him drop back from second on the grid and opt to pit under an early Safety Car, leaving him fighting to hang onto his aged hard tyres in the closing stages.
Leclerc, who took the lead at the start but had his race ruined by a slow pit stop, spun and hit the barrier as he tried to fight back against Piastri, causing damage to his car which allowed Russell and Verstappen to pass in the final corners.
There was further pain to come for the Monegasque as he was demoted to eighth by a 20-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage as he struggled to control his car after the late crash. Verstappen received a five-second penalty for crossing the white line at the pit exit after his stop, but that didn't change his position.
Lewis Hamilton was promoted to sixth as a result of his team-mate's misfortune, as the Italian team's own major upgrade package failed to produce its desired effect.
Ultimately, the fact that Mercedes were able to make it four victories from as many races this season despite holding off bringing their own major upgrade package until the next round in Canada will be seen as a major triumph for the Silver Arrows, and give them huge confidence that they can remain at the head of the field in Montreal.
Franco Colapinto claimed seventh for Alpine after his team-mate Pierre Gasly was flipped over following an early collision with Liam Lawson, which combined with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar crashing out at almost the same moment to bring out the Safety Car.
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon both completed the points-scoring positions to cap a much improved display from their Williams team, who have benefitted from managing to reduce the weight of their car.
The race played out amid a near constant threat of rain, with the start time having been moved three hours earlier than originally scheduled in what turned out to be a successful attempt to avoid forecasted thunderstorms.
Antonelli continues stunning streak
A pause of the F1 season after races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to conflict in the Middle East meant Antonelli had to wait five weeks to race again after taking the championship lead for the first time in his career by winning in Japan.
The considerable time for the media to reflect on the first three rounds meant there was plenty of time for discussions as to whether the teenager is ready to maintain a title tilt, with even his team boss Toto Wolff trying to play down his protege's prospects.
An error-strewn performance in the Sprint, which saw Antonelli gift a two-point gain to the slower Russell by getting a five-second penalty for breaching track limits too many times, suggested he might not be coping with the even greater spotlight.
He responded superbly with a stunning pole lap, but for the sixth time in as many starts this season (including two Sprints) dropped backwards off the line, locking up and running off track at the first corner.
He benefitted from the carnage caused by Verstappen spinning to get back into second, and held his own in a three-way duel with Norris and Leclerc either side of the Safety Car to sit second behind the McLaren as the sole round of pit stops approached.
The key moment came at the end of lap 26 when Mercedes brought in Antonelli, who had trailed Norris by just under two seconds.
McLaren responded by bringing in Norris a lap later, but a fine out lap from Antonelli and a slightly faster stop meant the pair were pretty much side-by-side as the reigning champion emerged from the pits, which meant the Mercedes driver could use his boost to ease into the lead.
Norris attempted to apply pressure to Antonelli, and both drivers were left walking a tightrope after receiving warnings over track limits breaches, but the Italian ultimately had too much pace as he came home three seconds clear.
Norris said: "We just got undercut - no excuses other than that. We got undercut, we should have boxed first. Kimi did a good job. Hat's off to Merc and Kimi, they drove a good race.
"I'm gutted to miss out on a win here in Miami - I think it was possible today. But not the pace to get past him in the end, so we take it on the chin. But it's still a positive weekend altogether."
Formula 1 next heads to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and another Sprint weekend. Watch live on Sky Sports F1 on May 22-24. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
