Miami Grand Prix: Antonelli secures triple consecutive victory ahead of McLarens

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli has taken his third consecutive race win at the Miami Grand Prix, pipping both McLarens, as the weather concerns remained at bay.

Feature image credit: Pirelli

Antonelli, the Formula 1 championship leader, has made history at Miami after becoming the first driver to secure his first three consecutive pole positions and convert each of them into victory. The young Italian controlled his race, maintaining his advantage over the defending world champion, McLaren’s Lando Norris. Recovering from a troubled start in the race.

Due to weather concerns, the race was brought forward by three hours as there was a weather window where pending storms wouldn’t strike on or around the circuit. Which had proved to be the case as the drivers were able to race in entirely dry conditions, despite spots of rain through the 57-lap race.

In one of his better race starts, Antonelli still lost track positions at the race start, losing the lead to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc into turn one. The Italian, alongside Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, locked up into the opening corner and allowed Leclerc to slip into the lead.

Fortunately, the Mercedes driver was able to avoid the spinning RB23 of Verstappen to hold onto second place as he made his way back onto the circuit.

But it wasn’t long before he found himself back in the lead, ahead of Norris.

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Despite Norris’s best attempts, the world champion couldn’t make any inroads on the leading Mercedes and had to settle for second as Piastri rounded out the podium in third.

Whilst the weather was able to stay away, in favour of the schedule change, the race was not without trouble.

Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was the first retirement of the race, clipping the inside corner of turn 14, breaking the suspension of his car as he veered into the barrier.

Racing Bull’s Liam Lawson made contact with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, almost immediately after Hadjar’s crash. The Kiwi locked up in turn 17 and touched the rear tyre of Gasly’s car, flipping the Alpine over as it landed into the barrier. This prompted an early safety car.

Shortly after, Lawson retired due to the collision, followed by Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg, who had a troubled weekend in Miami.

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Leclerc suffered a late spin on the exit of turn three in his fight for the final podium position against Piastri.

The Monegasque was able to continue, despite hitting the barrier. Prompting a dismal final lap, overtaken by both Mercedes’ George Russell and Verstappen as they took the chequered flag.

Race result;

1. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
2. Lando Norris, McLaren
3. Oscar Piastri, McLaren
4. George Russell, Mercedes*
5. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing*
6. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
7. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
8. Franco Colapinto, Alpine
9. Carlos Sainz, Williams
10. Alexander Albon, Williams
11. Oliver Bearman, Haas
12. Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi
13. Esteban Ocon, Haas
14. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls
15. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
16. Sergio Perez, Cadillac
17. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
18. Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac

Retirements, in order of exit:

1. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing
2. Pierre Gasly, Alpine
3. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
4. Nico Hulkenberg, Audi

However, the drama has not finished just yet in Miami. There are several investigations set to be completed in the fallout. We will keep you up to date as and when they come in.

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Isack Hadjar at risk of Miami GP qualifying disqualification
• Norris converts sprint pole into win to lead McLaren 1-2
• Lando Norris beats Kimi Antonelli to sprint pole
• Charles Leclerc tops extended sole practice at Miami Grand Prix
• How F1 points are awarded if Miami Grand Prix is cancelled
• Storm threat raises risk of race disruption

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.