Kimi Antonelli Stronger After Miami Victory As He Extends F1 Lead

Kimi Antonelli extends a strong run of form in Formula One, securing a third straight victory with success at the Miami Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver resists heavy pressure from Lando Norris across the race distance and now leads the drivers' standings by 20 points, ahead of team-mate George Russell.

While Antonelli moves clear in the championship, Charles Leclerc leaves Miami with frustration after late drama. The Ferrari driver spins into the wall on the last lap, damages the car, loses several places, then receives a 20-second penalty for corner-cutting, which drops Leclerc to eighth in the final race result.

Antonelli’s win in Florida delivers several milestones in F1 statistics. Antonelli becomes the first driver to convert each of the first three pole positions into victories. Antonelli also joins Stirling Moss and Oscar Piastri as the third non-world champion to claim three consecutive F1 wins, with Piastri’s sequence also running from Bahrain to Miami in 2025.

The Mercedes driver shows strong composure in wheel-to-wheel racing through Miami’s varied sections. Norris keeps close range for much of the race, but never finds a clear chance to pass. Russell, running the same machinery, finishes only fourth, underlining Antonelli’s pace advantage on the day and its importance in the championship context.

Key to Antonelli’s victory is a well-timed undercut that flips track position. Mercedes calls Antonelli in for tyres at the right moment, releases Antonelli into clear air, and allows strong lap times on fresh rubber. That phase proves decisive once the pit-stop cycle ends and positions settle for the closing stages.

"It was key, the undercut. The out lap was very strong, and the team picked the right moment [for the pit stop] because I came out and had no traffic, Antonelli told Sky Sports. I was able to push cleanly, so that allowed me then to make the move at the end. Very happy with that."

Antonelli reflects on race management and personal progress over this winning run. "I am getting stronger and stronger every time. More in control of the situation. I still think that sometimes I could remain a bit more calm. I was a bit stressed when I had downshift issues, and upshift, I was very stressed. I should have stayed calm, but overall, it was a strong race, and I am happy that we brought it home."

Earlier in the Miami Grand Prix, the lead fight briefly features three contenders. Leclerc runs strongly for Ferrari in the opening stages and appears on course to challenge for a first win of the season. Oscar Piastri also maintains close contact, setting up a tense strategic contest between Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren.

As the race develops, Leclerc’s pace fades and track position slips away. Piastri overtakes Leclerc on the penultimate lap, dropping the Ferrari driver further down the order. Moments later, Leclerc’s spin at Turn Three on the final lap worsens the damage, with the car sliding into the wall and causing more time loss.

Miami Grand Prix setbacks for Charles Leclerc in F1 battle

Leclerc crosses the line in sixth after the late incident, but stewards investigate possible corner-cutting linked to the spin. Officials then apply a 20-second time penalty, demoting Leclerc two additional places to eighth. The outcome turns what had looked like a podium challenge into a points finish that feels disappointing for Ferrari.

The main positions from the Miami Grand Prix, and Antonelli’s new advantage over Russell, can be summarised below.

Leclerc accepts responsibility for the error when speaking after the race. "It's all on me, and I don't have much to add other than that, Leclerc told Sky Sports of his final lap. Very disappointed with my mistake. It shouldn't happen. I pushed very hard on the second-to-last lap. I thought it was a good idea to kind of let Oscar go for me to get the overtake. I knew it was going to be very difficult to stay in front otherwise. But it was a very poor decision, and in the space of four corners I put a very strong race in the bin, so I'm very frustrated about that."

Miami therefore strengthens Antonelli’s early hold on the 2026 F1 season, through pace under pressure and precise strategy. Norris and Piastri show strong speed but cannot prevent Antonelli’s third straight victory, while Leclerc and Ferrari leave with questions after a race that slipped away during the closing laps and post-race penalty.