Antonelli Wins Third Straight in Miami, Leads F1 by 20

**Kimi Antonelli took his third straight win at the Miami Grand Prix, raising his championship total to 100 points and his lead over teammate George Russell to 20. He called the result just the start of a long season.

Miami Gardens, Fla., hosted the fourth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season after a five‑week break caused by canceled Middle East races. The race started at 1 p.m. local time, moved up three hours to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.

New technical rules that emphasize battery deployment over pure horsepower produced frequent wheel‑to‑wheel battles, with drivers using boost buttons to overtake and then losing power as their energy depleted. The changes aim to create more overtaking opportunities but have drawn criticism for shifting focus from flat‑out speed.

Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, started from pole after securing his third consecutive qualifying top spot. He lost the lead at the start to Charles Leclerc but reclaimed it mid‑race and held off Lando Norris to finish first. The victory awarded him 25 points, bringing his season total to 100.

Russell finished fourth, leaving him with 80 points, while Norris and Oscar Piastri took second and third with 51 and 48 points respectively. Antonelli said after the race, "This is just the beginning. The road is still long," underscoring that the championship fight remains open.

The 20‑point gap gives Antonelli a comfortable cushion but still leaves room for Russell, Leclerc, or Norris to close the gap over the remaining 18 races. Mercedes now faces an internal battle as its younger driver outperforms the season‑long favorite.

The next round is the Canadian Grand Prix, where Russell has historically performed well. Antonelli’s ability to maintain his advantage will depend on consistency and how the new regulations affect tire and battery management on different circuits.

All eyes will be on the Montreal race to see whether Antonelli can extend his streak or if the challengers can mount a serious comeback.