Miami Grand Prix 2026: Antonelli Extends Formula 1 Championship Lead With Historic Hat-Trick
Kimi Antonelli made history at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, becoming the first driver to convert his first three career pole positions into victories. The 19-year-old Mercedes sensation claimed his third consecutive win of the season after a fierce, race-long battle with reigning world champion Lando Norris. The event was defined by chaos, featuring a dramatic start where polesitter Antonelli and Max Verstappen locked up into turn one, leading to an early spin for Verstappen. A Safety Car was deployed early following separate crashes for Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly. While Norris led stints of the race and applied immense pressure, Antonelli maintained composure to cross the line first. Oscar Piastri secured the final podium spot, while post-race penalties for track limit violations shuffled the remaining points finishers, ultimately consolidating Antonelli’s early lead in the 2026 World Championship.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates after winning the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Second-place finisher McLaren driver Lando Norris, left, of Britain; first-place finisher Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, second from right, of Italy; and third-place finisher McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, right, of Australia, stand on the winners' podium after the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates after winning the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, of Italy, finishes first in the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race as former tennis player Rafael Nadal, bottom right, waves a checkered flag Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. Former tennis player Rafael Nadal, bottom right, waves a checkered flag. | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell, pool
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco enters the pit area during the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco steers his car during the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Marta Lavandier
From left, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco, McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain, and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli of Italy steer their cars during the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky
Drivers steer their cars during the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Lynne Sladky
Rafael Nadal walks through the pit area during the qualifying session of the of the Miami Formula One Grand Prix auto race, in Miami Gardens, Florida. | Photo: AP/Rebecca Blackwell
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