Antonelli wins in Miami to extend title lead

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Kimi Antonelli claimed a dramatic victory for Mercedes at the Miami Grand Prix yesterday, holding off McLaren driver Lando Norris to secure his third win in a row of the 2026 season.

The polesitter was immediately thrown into battle at the start, as Antonelli, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc went three-wide into the opening corner. Both Verstappen and Leclerc locked up, and contact between them sent the Red Bull driver into a 360-degree spin, dropping him deep into the midfield and reshaping the early order.

Positions traded hands through the opening laps. Antonelli briefly slipped back as Leclerc and the McLarens of Norris and Oscar Piastri all spent time at the front, while Verstappen began carving his way back through the field. Incidents involving Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly soon brought out the Safety Car, bunching the pack and resetting the contest.

Once the race stabilised, a clear duel developed between Antonelli and Norris. The McLaren driver remained within striking distance for much of the second half, repeatedly applying pressure in the closing stages. Antonelli, however, stayed firmly in control at the front, responding consistently while managing his pace and tyres effectively.

Behind them, Piastri secured third after a late-race battle with Leclerc, who briefly ran wide in the closing laps but managed to continue. George Russell capitalised to take fourth for Mercedes, while Verstappen recovered to fifth, though he remains under investigation for a pit exit line infringement.

Antonelli crossed the line 3.264 seconds ahead of Norris, sealing a landmark result as he became the first driver to convert his first three pole positions into race victories.

Further down the order, Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in a relatively quiet race for Ferrari, while Alpine’s Franco Colapinto scored valuable points in eighth. Williams also enjoyed a strong double points finish with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon both inside the top ten.

 The result extends Antonelli’s lead in the Drivers’ Championship after his third consecutive win, strengthening his position at the top of the standings. McLaren, meanwhile, close the gap in the Constructors’ Championship with another double podium for Norris and Piastri, while Mercedes and Red Bull remain locked in a tight battle behind them.