Antonelli strikes in Miami GP as Mercedes stays untouchable; Papaya duo clinch remaining podium spots

• Photo courtesy of F1

Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli continued his impressive 2026 campaign, taking his third win of the season at the Miami Grand Prix, while McLaren’s Papaya duo secured the remaining podium places.

Antonelli delivered a composed drive, controlling the race from the front and executing a clean strategy to stay ahead despite mounting pressure across the race distance. The victory further strengthens his position as one of the key title contenders this season.

Reflecting on his performance and the team’s momentum, Antonelli credited the collective effort behind Mercedes’ continued success.

“This is just the beginning. The road is still long but… we’re working super hard and the team is doing an incredible job,” Antonelli said after the race. “And without them I wouldn’t be here. So mainly thanks to them, to my family. And yeah, I’m going to enjoy this one and then get back to work because Canada is in two weeks’ time.”

Behind him, McLaren maximized performance gains, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finishing second and third, respectively. The result underscores the team’s consistent pace and effective race execution.

Norris, the reigning 2025 world champion, held a steady rhythm throughout, balancing tire management and track position, while Piastri backed it up with a controlled and disciplined run to complete the podium.

The double podium finish signals McLaren’s sustained competitiveness, adding valuable points in both the drivers’ and constructors’ standings as the 2026 season continues to build momentum.

Antonelli led from the front and crossed the line 3.264 seconds ahead of Norris after 57 laps, showcasing consistent pace and tyre management throughout the race. Piastri completed the podium in third, finishing 23.828 seconds behind.

George Russell followed in fourth to give Mercedes another solid points haul, while Max Verstappen settled for fifth as Red Bull struggled to match the front-running speed. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished sixth, with Lewis Hamilton in seventh, reflecting a steady but unspectacular outing for the Scuderia.

Further down, Fernando Alonso secured eighth place, while Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon rounded out the top 10 in ninth and tenth, respectively, capping off a competitive midfield battle.

The result highlights a familiar pattern this season, with Mercedes firmly in control at the front and McLaren emerging as the most consistent challenger through Norris and Piastri’s back-to-back podium presence.