Antonelli makes history with Miami win to extend F1 title lead

By Razeen Gutta

Kimi Antonelli claimed a third straight Formula 1 victory from pole as he won a dramatic Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, stretching his lead in the drivers’ championship for Mercedes.

The 19-year-old Italian held off McLaren’s Lando Norris by 3.264 seconds after a tense late duel, becoming the first driver in F1 history to win his opening three races from three consecutive poles following triumphs in China and Japan.

Antonelli lost the lead early after Charles Leclerc passed him at the start while Max Verstappen spun, triggering chaos.

An early safety car followed a crash involving Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson.

Leclerc and Norris traded places at the front before light rain arrived.

Mercedes’ pit strategy proved decisive. Antonelli undercut Norris during the stops to retake the lead, despite admitting to a lock-up and energy management error earlier on.

“The team did a great strategy and we had a massive undercut,” Antonelli said post-race. “What a race, man, woo!”

Norris settled for second, saying, “We just got undercut. Kimi did a good job and hats off to him.”

Teammate Oscar Piastri completed the podium, 23.8 seconds back, after Leclerc spun during the penultimate lap.

George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes ahead of Verstappen, who recovered to fifth after his early spin and a pit-lane investigation.

Lewis Hamilton was seventh for Ferrari, followed by Franco Colapinto, Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon.

Mercedes arrived in Miami without upgrades but still outpaced rivals after a five-week break caused by the Middle East conflict.

All eyes will turn to Canada, next on the schedule in two weeks time.

Pictured above: Kimi Antonelli

Source: @f1