Kimi Antonelli strengthened his championship lead in Formula 1 with his third consecutive victory at the Miami Grand Prix. Despite a poor start that cost him the lead, the Italian used a clever strategy to overcome his rivals. Lando Norris, who led at several stages, finished second, with Oscar Piastri completing the podium. Carlos Sainz added two points to his tally, while Fernando Alonso endured another tough race.
After the parade of VIPs through the Miami paddock ended, the real action began. Charles Leclerc had a fantastic start, passing Antonelli and Max Verstappen, who spun but avoided major damage. Leclerc held the lead until lap four, when Antonelli reclaimed it with better pace, only to lose it again a few corners later due to battery management and boost mode limitations.
The race was interrupted when Isack Hadjar crashed, followed by Liam Lawson colliding with Pierre Gasly, who even barrel-rolled. The safety car was deployed, and Nico Hulkenberg also retired. During the six-lap caution (laps 5-11), Verstappen was the only top runner to pit, switching to hard tires to try to go the distance. Franco Colapinto was seventh, Sainz ninth, and Alonso 17th.
After the safety car period, Norris passed Leclerc to take the lead, while Leclerc also lost second place to Antonelli. The main suspense was whether rain would arrive. As light drops fell, most drivers pitted for fresh tires. By lap 30 of 57, Antonelli led ahead of Verstappen. The Dutchman couldn’t hold off Norris, who overtook him with newer tires and chased Antonelli, though unsuccessfully.
The top order remained stable until lap 47, when Verstappen’s worn tires dropped him to third behind Leclerc, and then further to fifth behind Piastri and Russell. The podium was still in play: on the final lap, Piastri passed Leclerc (who had technical issues) to snatch third. Leclerc’s disappointment was so severe that he spun, losing two more positions and finishing sixth, behind Russell and Verstappen.
For the Spanish drivers, Carlos Sainz finished ninth, earning two valuable points for Williams. Fernando Alonso was 15th. Franco Colapinto, cheered on by his Argentine fans in Miami, crossed the line eighth, just behind Lewis Hamilton, as the checkered flag was waved by Rafa Nadal.