Antonelli Wins Third Straight Grand Prix, Extends Championship Lead to 20 Points

Key facts

• Kimi Antonelli won the Miami Grand Prix from pole, his third consecutive victory.
• Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship with 100 points, 20 ahead of teammate George Russell.
• Antonelli is the first driver to win his first three grands prix from his first three poles.
• Max Verstappen finished fifth but faces a stewards' investigation for crossing the pit-exit line.
• Lando Norris finished second, securing his first podium of the season.
• Mercedes leads the Constructors' Championship after four rounds.
• Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in a severely damaged Ferrari.

A Historic Victory in Miami

Kimi Antonelli made Formula 1 history on Sunday by winning the Miami Grand Prix, becoming the first driver ever to win his first three grands prix from his first three pole positions. The 19-year-old Italian held off McLaren's Lando Norris in a tense finish, crossing the line just over a second ahead after a race-long battle. The victory extends Antonelli's championship lead to 20 points over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, who finished fourth. With 100 points from four races, Antonelli has established himself as the clear title favorite, though the season remains long.

How the Race Unfolded

From pole, Antonelli lost the lead at the start as Charles Leclerc's Ferrari surged ahead and Lando Norris moved into contention. Antonelli quickly reclaimed the lead on Lap 4 with a dive up the inside at Turn 17, but a safety car on Lap 7—triggered by separate crashes involving Isack Hadjar and Liam Lawson—reset the order. Under the safety car, Max Verstappen pitted for hard tires, going off-strategy. After the restart, Norris assumed the lead, but Antonelli's undercut during the pit-stop cycle on Lap 26 proved decisive. He emerged ahead of Norris and quickly dispatched the off-strategy Verstappen on Lap 29 to take the net lead.

Verstappen Under Investigation

Max Verstappen, who finished fifth on the road, faces a post-race stewards' investigation for crossing the pit-exit line during the race. The Red Bull driver had a difficult afternoon, spinning at Turn 2 on the opening lap after locking up while battling Antonelli and Leclerc. He later engaged in aggressive midfield fights, drawing the ire of Carlos Sainz. Verstappen's off-sequence strategy briefly put him in the lead after the pit stops, but he was quickly passed by both Antonelli and Norris. The investigation could result in a time penalty or other sanction, potentially affecting his championship standing.

Championship Standings After Miami

Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship with 100 points, followed by George Russell on 80. Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, and Lewis Hamilton are closely matched in the next positions, though Norris's second-place finish in Miami lifted him to his first podium of the season. In the Constructors' Championship, Mercedes has pulled clear of Ferrari and McLaren, strengthening its advantage after four rounds. The standings reflect a decisive turn in the 2026 season, with Antonelli and Mercedes establishing a clear lead. However, with 20 races still to run, the title race remains open.

Antonelli Joins Elite Company

Antonelli's achievement places him in rare company: he is only the third driver after Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen to win his first three races consecutively. More remarkably, he is the first to do so from pole each time, underscoring his qualifying prowess. The Mercedes driver's victory was not without challenges. He battled gearbox paddle shift issues throughout the race and had to manage track limits, but held on to secure the win. His composure under pressure has drawn comparisons to some of the sport's greats.

What Comes Next

The F1 circus now moves to the next round, where Antonelli will aim to extend his winning streak. Verstappen's stewards' hearing will be closely watched, as any penalty could reshape the championship battle. Meanwhile, McLaren's strong showing in Miami suggests they may close the gap to Mercedes in the coming races. For Antonelli, the immediate focus is on maintaining momentum. "It's an incredible feeling," a team spokesperson said. "We knew we had a strong car, but to execute like this is special." The season is far from over, but the young Italian has already stamped his authority on 2026.

The bottom line

• Kimi Antonelli is the first driver to win his first three F1 races from pole, and only the third to win his first three races consecutively.
• Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship with 100 points, 20 ahead of teammate George Russell.
• Max Verstappen faces a stewards' investigation for crossing the pit-exit line, which could result in a penalty.
• Mercedes leads the Constructors' Championship after four races, with Ferrari and McLaren trailing.
• Lando Norris secured his first podium of the season with second place in Miami.
• The 2026 season is still wide open, but Antonelli and Mercedes have established a clear early advantage.