2026 Miami Grand Prix Review: Antonelli Triumphs in the Florida Heat as McLaren Push Hard

Kimi Antonelli claimed a thrilling third victory of the 2026 season at the Miami International Autodrome on 3 May, holding off a relentless challenge from McLaren to extend his drivers' championship lead. It was a race of early chaos, controversial penalties and brilliant strategic calls that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout.

Carnage at the Start

The opening laps were dramatic. A first-corner lock-up from Antonelli on the run to Turn 1 brought Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc into the mix, and the lead changed hands in the chaos. Within just six laps, separate incidents involving Isack Hadjar, Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson brought out the Safety Car.

Hadjar and Gasly retired on the spot following their respective collisions. Lawson pitted to retire after contact with Gasly, and Nico Hulkenberg also ended his afternoon early. Four cars out before the race had properly settled.

Undercut Masterclass Seals It for Antonelli

After the Safety Car restart, Lando Norris grabbed the lead and looked threatening. Mercedes responded with a perfectly timed undercut call, pulling Antonelli in for fresh tyres at just the right moment. He rejoined in the lead with rubber advantage and kept his cool to win by just over three seconds.

It was a display of maturity beyond his years from the Italian teenager. Managing tyre degradation in the Florida heat, soaking up Norris's pressure and never making a costly mistake. At 19, Antonelli is already looking like the dominant force of the 2026 season.

McLaren's Best Day Yet

Norris crossed the line in second for McLaren, with Oscar Piastri completing the podium in third. It was the Woking team's strongest result of the year and a clear sign that the gap to Mercedes is closing. A McLaren one-two looked possible at points during the race, and the momentum in the garage will be significant heading into Europe.

Piastri was particularly impressive in traffic, picking his way through the field after a scrappy start to eventually lock out the podium alongside his teammate.

Russell and Hamilton Score for Mercedes

George Russell finished fourth to keep his championship challenge alive, while Lewis Hamilton recovered to sixth in the final classification following late drama for Leclerc.

Leclerc had been running strongly all afternoon but suffered a last-lap spin that damaged his steering arm. Cutting several corners to limp back to the pits, the Monegasque was handed a 20-second penalty and dropped to eighth. It was a harsh way to end what had otherwise been a competitive weekend for Ferrari.

Verstappen's Day Gets Worse

Verstappen endured yet more frustration in Miami. Already on the back foot after the early skirmishes, Red Bull pitted under the Safety Car in a bid to undercut the field. But stewards later ruled that the front-left tyre had crossed the white pit exit line, issuing a five-second penalty after the race. He kept fifth place only because Leclerc's penalty was considerably larger.

Alpine's Franco Colapinto delivered a composed drive to seventh. Carlos Sainz scored a valuable point for Williams in ninth, while Alexander Albon took the final point in tenth to give the team a productive day.

Championship Standings After Round 4

Drivers' Championship:

  1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 100 pts
  2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 80 pts
  3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 59 pts
  4. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 51 pts
  5. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 51 pts
  6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 43 pts
  7. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 26 pts
  8. Oliver Bearman (Haas) - 17 pts
  9. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 14 pts
  10. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 12 pts

Constructors' Championship:

  1. Mercedes - 180 pts
  2. Ferrari - 110 pts
  3. McLaren - 94 pts
  4. Red Bull - 30 pts
  5. Alpine - 23 pts

Looking Ahead: Monaco Grand Prix

Formula 1 heads to the most glamorous venue on the calendar next, with the Monaco Grand Prix taking centre stage on 7 June at the Circuit de Monaco. On the narrow streets of the principality, overtaking is almost impossible, so qualifying will be crucial. Can McLaren's pace translate into a Monaco victory, or will Mercedes find yet another way to win?

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