Antonelli converts pole to victory in chaotic Miami Grand Prix as McLaren chase falls short

Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured a commanding victory in a dramatic Miami Grand Prix, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris in second and teammate Oscar Piastri in third after a race packed with incidents, strategy swings and late drama.

“The pace was strong. I was able to stay close. The team did a great strategy,” Antonelli said after the race.

“We did a massive undercut and we managed to bring it home even though it was not easy.

“This is just the beginning. The road is still long. We are working super hard and the team is doing an incredible job.”

The race exploded into life from the opening corner, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc going three-wide with Antonelli and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen into Turn One. Leclerc initially seized the lead, while Verstappen spun on exit, dropping down the order in a chaotic start.

Further back, Ferrari’s Sir Lewis Hamilton and Alpine’s Franco Colapinto made contact under braking, with Hamilton sustaining damage that would compromise his race pace.

Antonelli quickly regrouped, reclaiming the lead from Leclerc by Lap 4 before the race took another twist. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, who had started from the pit lane following power unit changes, crashed out early after clipping the wall, moments before Alpine’s Pierre Gasly suffered a heavy accident that brought out the Safety Car.

At the restart, Leclerc held firm initially, but the momentum shifted rapidly. Norris surged into the lead on Lap 13, with Antonelli and Piastri close behind as the McLarens began to show strong race pace.

Strategy would ultimately decide the race.

Mercedes executed a decisive undercut, bringing Antonelli in earlier than Norris. When the McLaren driver responded a lap later, he rejoined just ahead, but Antonelli immediately attacked and retook the position, a move that would prove race-defining.

A thrilling three-way battle briefly unfolded at the front with Verstappen, who had gambled on an early stop, attempting to hold off both Antonelli and Norris on older tyres. However, the Mercedes driver swept past to reclaim the lead, with Norris following shortly after.

From there, Antonelli managed the race expertly, keeping Norris within range but under control, even as light rain threatened midway through the race without ever fully materialising.

Norris admitted frustration at missing out on victory after the strategy battle.

“We just got undercut. No excuses other than that. We got undercut, we should have boxed first,” he said.

“Kimi did a good job. Hat’s off to Mercedes and Kimi, they drove a good race.

“I’m gutted to miss out on a win here in Miami. I think it was possible today, but not the pace to get past him in the end.”

Piastri completed the podium after a strong late charge, passing both Verstappen and Leclerc in the closing stages.

“It’s not been the most straightforward of weekends,” Piastri said.

“I had to make a few overtakes at the end of the race. It was a pretty late charge, but it’s very tricky around here.

“Clearly we are a step closer in performance once again, so that’s nice to see.”

Behind the podium, the race delivered a dramatic finale. Leclerc, who had been in contention for a top-three finish, clipped the wall late on and dropped down the order, allowing Mercedes’ George Russell to take fourth and Verstappen to recover to fifth after his opening-lap spin.

Hamilton, carrying damage from the opening lap, endured a quiet race to finish seventh.

Alpine’s Colapinto secured eighth, while Williams celebrated a double points finish with Carlos Sainz ninth and Alexander Albon tenth.

The result marks a third consecutive victory for Antonelli, who continues to strengthen his grip on the championship in what is rapidly becoming a breakout season for the young Mercedes driver.

Official results: https://www.formula1.com/en/results/2026/races/1284/miami/race-result