After its five-week break by means of April, Method 1’s return in Miami this weekend didn’t disappoint. Kimi Antonelli received his third grand prix of the yr, though it was removed from simple for the younger Italian, and there have been scraps up and down the order to maintain observe of. Right here’s what the worldwide press made from the 2026 Miami GP.
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The Guardian: “All of the hallmarks of a champion”
Ranging from pole place, Kimi Antonelli as soon as once more didn’t have an ideal launch, dropping again to 3rd place. Ultimately, nevertheless, victory nonetheless went to the 19-year-old Italian, who additional prolonged his lead within the championship.
In its race report on the Miami Grand Prix, The Guardian speaks of Antonelli’s capability to “hold his cool” and his “champion’s composure”, which introduced the younger Italian the win. “{The teenager} can not legally purchase a drink within the US but however by the tip of what was a gripping run to the flag the Italian had most assuredly earned a stiffener,” the British outlet writes.
“The day, nevertheless, firmly belonged to Antonelli and far as his wins in China and Japan have been spectacular, this victory on the circuit that winds its means around the Exhausting Rock Stadium was of one other calibre. Whereas he is not going to countenance its dialogue, it did have all of the hallmarks of a champion.”
The Guardian judges the victory to have been “totally deserved” and states that it has confirmed Mercedes continues to be main the best way – “a minimum of in Antonelli’s palms,” the reporter provides. “Russell, the pre-season favorite, now sorely must reassert his authority on a title combat during which Antonelli has bossed the final three rounds.”
Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Photos by way of Getty Photos
Marca: “Spin ruins Verstappen’s race”
The beginning of the race was pretty hectic. Max Verstappen instantly tried to take the lead on the within, however locked up beneath braking. Consequently, Charles Leclerc was in a position to in the reduction of on the within and take the lead, after which Verstappen misplaced management and spun. Miraculously, the remainder of the sphere managed to keep away from him, however the mistake dropped Verstappen again to ninth place.
“Verstappen appeared to have every part beneath management to take the lead, however locked up in an try to hold Leclerc behind and put a wheel onto the moist a part of Flip 1,” writes Spain’s Marca. “That resulted in an ideal 360-degree spin.”
“He recovered, however dropped to ninth place and noticed his race go up in smoke. From the pit wall, the group nonetheless tried to learn from the protection automobile on lap 9, however on the laborious tyre it grew to become a protracted race. Ultimately, he was nonetheless in a position to make up some positions within the chaotic closing phases.”
Marca additionally notes that Russell “has appeared considerably misplaced for a while in comparison with the rise of his team-mate”. “Antonelli is changing into more and more assured and is constructing a lead that will probably be troublesome for Russell to shut with out misfortune or incidents. Italy continues to rejoice in Method 1. It brings recent power to the championship, during which three (and a half) groups at the moment are competing for wins, though Ferrari and Max Verstappen nonetheless look like one step under Mercedes and McLaren.”
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull Racing, Lando Norris, McLaren
Photograph by: Brett Farmer / LAT Photos by way of Getty Photos
L’Equipe: “Verstappen couldn’t combat on equal phrases”
France’s L’Equipe speaks of appreciable chaos at the beginning of the race in Miami, with a number one function for Verstappen’s spin. “The Crimson Bull made a 360-degree spin and prompted chaos on the exit of Flip 2,” the race report reads. Antonelli, nevertheless, prevented that chaos by working extensive in Flip 1.
“Antonelli is now not simply the nice shock of the beginning of the season; he’s a really severe title contender,” states L’Equipe. “Even so, it was not a straightforward starting for the Mercedes driver. His begin was higher than normal, however nonetheless considerably hesitant.”
There’s additionally consideration for the battle for the ultimate podium place, which was “fierce and chaotic” with Oscar Piastri and Leclerc. “Verstappen, who made his pit cease through the neutralisation on lap six, couldn’t combat on equal phrases with Leclerc, Russell and Piastri. The Dutchman drove an aggressive race, held on for a very long time, however needed to give floor on lap 47.”
“Finally, Piastri got here out on high on this combat, confirming McLaren’s robust comeback. Nevertheless, Leclerc made a mistake on the ultimate lap, misplaced two extra positions and completed a disappointing sixth, behind Russell and Verstappen,” the decision learn even earlier than Leclerc was dropped to P8 by a 20-second time penalty.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photograph by: Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photos
La Gazzetta dello Sport: “The one ‘hurricane’ was Antonelli himself”
In Italy, there’s nice delight at Antonelli’s third consecutive victory. “The strongest is Italian and now we will formally dream: Antonelli has additionally received the Miami Grand Prix and there’s no longer any doubt – the 19-year-old from Bologna is greater than ever a contender for the 2026 world title,” writes La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“What Antonelli confirmed was a masterpiece within the model of the greats: successful with out having the quickest automobile,” the reporter provides. The explanation Mercedes now not had the quickest automobile? McLaren’s return, in keeping with the Italian outlet.
“The Woking-based group introduced many updates and the tempo of the papaya-coloured vehicles was clearly higher than within the first three races of the season. However that’s exactly the place the great thing about Antonelli’s efficiency lies: he managed to fend off the assaults of his rivals and managed each essential phases of the weekend – qualifying and the race – like a champion.”
Antonelli was as soon as once more the strongest within the Grand Prix, regardless of a mediocre begin.
The race report continues with much more reward for Antonelli. “Yesterday he took pole place purely on expertise; at this time he drove an ideal race during which he overcame all of the pitfalls with the passion and expertise of somebody aiming for the highest. There have been fears of a stormy Sunday, however the one ‘hurricane’ was Antonelli himself, who beat the world champion with a masterful race.”
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However, Ferrari endured a much less convincing race. Leclerc appeared on the right track for third place till the closing phases, however a spin and get in touch with with the wall on the ultimate lap put an finish to these hopes. “A pity for Ferrari, which appeared to have the rostrum in its palms with Leclerc.”
Leclerc’s time penalty dropped him again to P8, selling Lewis Hamilton to sixth place. However the verdict in Italy is evident: “These are particulars that sadly change nothing concerning the harsh conclusion – the updates weren’t sufficient to change the hierarchy, and the hole to Mercedes and McLaren stays.”
Images from Miami GP – Sunday
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Miami GP – Sunday, in images
Miami GP – Sunday, in images
Miami GP – Sunday, in images
Miami GP – Sunday, in images
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Miami GP – Sunday, in images
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Miami GP – Sunday, in images
Miami GP – Sunday, in images
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