Antonelli masters Miami for third straight win as Verstappen stumbles

Kimi Antonelli secured a hard-fought third consecutive victory at the Miami Grand Prix, extending his championship lead in a chaotic race marked by a dramatic spin from Max Verstappen. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver overcame a poor start and relentless pressure from McLaren's Lando Norris to claim a win that international media hailed as a champion's drive, while Verstappen's early error ruined his race and Ferrari's updates failed to deliver a podium.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's third win solidifies his transformation from a promising rookie into a bona fide title contender, putting immense pressure on his more experienced teammate George Russell. The race also highlighted a shifting competitive order, with McLaren's significant upgrade package bringing them back into the fight for wins, while Ferrari and Red Bull appeared a step behind the leading pace in Miami.

The details:

• Antonelli's Champion Drive: Starting from pole, Antonelli dropped to third at the start but displayed remarkable composure to fight back. He withstood constant pressure from Lando Norris's faster McLaren to take a victory described by The Guardian as having "all the hallmarks of a champion."
• Verstappen's Costly Spin: Max Verstappen's race unraveled at the first corner. Attempting a pass for the lead, he locked up, put a wheel on the damp part of the track, and performed a 360-degree spin. He miraculously avoided contact but fell to ninth, with Marca noting his race "went up in smoke."
• McLaren's Strong Return: The papaya cars were the fastest on track thanks to a major update package. Norris applied consistent pressure for the win, and Oscar Piastri engaged in a fierce, chaotic battle for the final podium spot, ultimately finishing third.
• Ferrari's Disappointment: Charles Leclerc initially led after avoiding Verstappen's spin and seemed set for a podium until a last-lap error. He spun and hit the wall, then received a 20-second time penalty, dropping him to eighth. La Gazzetta dello Sport concluded Ferrari's updates were insufficient to change the competitive hierarchy.
• Media Consensus: Global outlets unanimously praised Antonelli's maturity and racecraft. L'Equipe stated he is "no longer just the pleasant surprise" but a "very serious title contender," while Italian media celebrated a "masterpiece" performance.

The big picture:

The Miami weekend confirmed several key narratives for the 2026 season. Kimi Antonelli has firmly established himself at the forefront of the championship, creating an intriguing intra-team dynamic at Mercedes. McLaren's resurgence means three teams—Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari—are now capable of fighting for wins, though Red Bull and Verstappen currently seem off the ultimate pace. The result increases the urgency for George Russell to respond and for Ferrari to find more performance from its development path.

What's next:

The championship moves to its next round with Antonelli holding a strengthened points lead. All eyes will be on whether George Russell can reassert himself in the title fight and if McLaren can sustain its upgraded performance at a different circuit. For Ferrari and Red Bull, the task is clear: unlock more speed to challenge the new benchmark set by the young Italian at Mercedes.