Kimi Antonelli Claims Third Consecutive Miami Win After Holding Off Norris

Kimi Antonelli resisted intense late pressure from Lando Norris to win a tense Miami Grand Prix and tighten control of the Formula One title race. The Mercedes driver now leads the championship by 20 points after claiming a third straight victory, while McLaren locked out the remaining podium places through Norris and Oscar Piastri.

The race start moved three hours earlier because of a thunderstorm threat, and Antonelli initially struggled off the line from pole. Charles Leclerc surged from fourth to the front during the opening phase, but strategy, a Safety Car period and later errors meant the Ferrari challenge faded as the laps unfolded.

Antonelli did not keep the lead into turn one yet still became the first Miami Grand Prix winner to start from the front row. The Italian lost track position early, then used pit strategy and strong pace to overhaul Norris after the stops, securing the third win of the season and extending a record as the youngest driver to head the standings.

Norris stayed within range until the closing laps, maintaining pressure after inheriting first place through pit timing. However, once Antonelli cleared traffic and regained the net lead following the pit cycle, the McLaren driver had to accept second position. Piastri completed a solid afternoon for McLaren by finishing third after running inside the top group throughout.

George Russell delivered another consistent drive for Mercedes, taking fourth at the finish after a tight battle in the closing stages. Max Verstappen recovered to fifth for Red Bull, having spun at the start and fallen back from second on the grid, then climbing through the field with strong pace as the race settled.

Leclerc’s promising opening stint collapsed after a slow pit stop dropped the Ferrari down the order. Later, while attacking Piastri, Leclerc spun and clipped the barrier, losing further places before eventually limiting the damage with sixth. Lewis Hamilton followed in seventh for Ferrari after a quieter race, staying clear of the major incidents.

Alpine driver Franco Colapinto claimed eighth place after a steady run, crucially avoiding trouble when team-mate Pierre Gasly flipped over in an early collision. Williams enjoyed a productive race as Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon both scored, finishing ninth and 10th respectively to ensure the team placed both cars inside the points.

Antonelli had already become the youngest championship leader after the Japanese Grand Prix and strengthened that status with this Miami result. Norris achieved a first top-two finish in six races, ending a run of five events without standing on the top two steps of the podium, while McLaren’s double podium also tightened the fight among the leading constructors.

{TABLE_1}

{TABLE_2}

The Miami Grand Prix result means Mercedes now move further clear in the constructors’ standings, ahead of Ferrari and McLaren. With Antonelli on 100 points, Russell on 80 and Leclerc on 63, the championship picture tightens behind the leader and sets up an important phase for teams and drivers across all regions, including fans following closely in the Middle East.