Antonelli Wins Miami Grand Prix, Extends Championship Lead

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By Open Chronicle with Agencies

Kimi Antonelli delivered a commanding performance to win the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, navigating a chaotic and strategy-heavy race to strengthen his position at the top of the championship standings.

The race began with immediate drama. Charles Leclerc made a strong старт and briefly took the lead, while Antonelli stayed within striking distance. Behind them, early incidents reshaped the field, most notably when Max Verstappen spun and dropped down the order.

Antonelli wasted little time asserting himself, overtaking Leclerc by lap four to seize control. However, the race quickly descended into further chaos, with crashes involving Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly bringing out the Safety Car and forcing teams into early strategic decisions.

Kimi Antonelli triumphs at Miami Grand Prix as Max Verstappen faces FIA investigation

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When racing resumed, Lando Norris briefly took the lead after passing Leclerc, but the front group remained tightly packed. Pit stop strategies soon became decisive, reshuffling positions and allowing Verstappen to temporarily lead before being reeled back in by Antonelli and Norris.

The defining moment came on lap 29, when Antonelli executed a bold move around the outside of Verstappen to reclaim the effective race lead. From there, the Italian driver controlled the pace, gradually building a gap despite concerns over tire wear.

Behind him, intense battles unfolded throughout the field. Oscar Piastri capitalized on late-race struggles from Leclerc to secure second place, while Norris completed the podium after a consistent drive.

𝙆𝙞𝙢𝙞 𝘼𝙣𝙩𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧!

Chinese Grand Prix
Started from pole ➡️ won the race

Japanese Grand Prix
Started from pole ➡️ won the race

Miami Grand Prix
Started from pole ➡️ won the race

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— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) May 4, 2026

George Russell finished fourth after a strong recovery, with Verstappen taking fifth following a turbulent race. Leclerc’s late spin and subsequent penalty dropped him to eighth place, reshaping the final classification.

Further down the order, Gabriel Bortoleto showed resilience after starting from the back, climbing through the field to finish 12th despite ongoing challenges for Audi.

Post-race penalties also influenced the outcome. Leclerc received a 20-second penalty for gaining an advantage off track, while Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty for a pit lane infringement, though it did not affect his position.

With this victory, Antonelli not only secured a crucial win but also opened a significant gap in the championship, reinforcing his growing status as a leading contender in the 2026 Formula 1 season.