Antonelli’s Miami Sweep Extends Russell’s Championship Deficit to 20 Points

The Miami Grand Prix marked the first race after a five‑week hiatus, and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli seized the moment. Starting from pole position, the 19‑year‑old Italian led every lap and secured his third straight win, a streak that began at the season opener.

Russell, who finished fourth, described his performance as “very tough” and admitted his race pace was “really, really poor.” The British driver’s comments underscored a weekend where the Mercedes car struggled to match Antonelli’s speed.

The points gap now stands at 20, a swing that reshapes the early‑season championship picture. Russell entered 2026 as the pre‑season favorite, but four races in he faces a deficit that rivals his own teammate’s lead.

Antonelli’s dominance in Miami is the first time a Mercedes driver has out‑performed a teammate by such a margin this season. Previous races saw Russell on pole in China before mechanical issues and a safety‑car intervention in Japan that handed Antonelli the win.

Team principal Toto Wolff highlighted both drivers as protégés, noting that Russell’s analysis of his own data will be crucial. Wolff emphasized that momentum shifts are normal over an 18‑race calendar and that Russell remains a contender.

For Russell, the immediate task is to close the gap before the next European round. The Montreal circuit offers a different layout that could favor his driving style, which he has described as less comfortable on smooth surfaces.

What to watch next: whether Russell can translate his qualifying speed into race results and if Antonelli can sustain his pole‑to‑win streak as the season progresses.