MIAMI GARDENS — A pair of gamers hoisted Mercedes-AMG driver excessive on to their shoulders to have a good time his go-kart win in Thursday’s “Dolphin Problem” exhibition on the sector of Laborious Rock Stadium.
True to kind the 19-year previous Italian was all smiles, taking within the large “victory” alongside the NFL gamers, who gave him a soccer to take again to Europe the place he can add it to his rising trophy assortment. For certain, the favored younger racer is getting used to celebrating wins.
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He earned his first profession Method One victory at China in March and answered it with one other within the very subsequent grand prix in Japan. {The teenager} toasted the career-making wins with glowing rose water in an unmarked champagne-style magnum; and a bottle sits trackside and on the prepared this weekend too.
Antonelli arrives in Miami Gardens for Sunday’s (4 p.m. ET) the youngest championship chief within the historical past of the nice sport – 9 factors in entrance of his Mercedes teammate George Russell and 23 factors forward of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
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The three.363-mile 19-turn Miami Worldwide Autodrome on the campus of Laborious Rock Stadium is already a major a part of Antonelli’s burgeoning profession path – website of his first profession pole place when he led the sector to inexperienced for the 2025 F1 Dash Race on the monitor.
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So grins and good occasions are understandably Antonelli’s prevailing temper this week in his return in South Florida. However he’s fairly severe about capitalizing on his robust begin.
“For certain there shall be lots of strain in case the chance comes,’’ Antonelli conceded of the championship problem heating up by the remaining 17 races on the schedule. “However now we’re in a extremely good place and clearly the objective is to keep up this place till the tip of the yr.
“It’s going to be a tough combat as a result of, initially, I’ve a really robust teammate who’s up there and all the time there and delivering efficiency,’’ Antonelli stated of Russell.
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Kimi Antonelli poses for a photograph with Dolphins gamers Ollie Gordon II, Josh Uche, Jordan Phillips and Ethan Robinson throughout previews forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami Worldwide Autodrome on April 30, 2026.
“Ferrari, they’re shut, McLaren. We’ll undoubtedly see this weekend a lot better their true tempo. Pink Bull will certainly get shut. So I feel on my facet, I’m simply going to attempt to focus race by race, not attempting to consider the tip consequence or championship, simply attempting to remain as a lot as potential within the second, current within the second, simply attempting to do my finest and concentrate on the method.’’
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The reigning world champion McLaren crew has struggled within the early-going this yr, with defending Miami Grand Prix race winner Oscar Piastri scoring McLaren’s first podium of the season within the final race at Japan. His teammate, reigning world champion Lando Norris – who scored his first profession F1 victory at Miami in 2024 – has additionally struggled this season.
New technical rules launched in 2026 have challenged a number of of the frontrunning groups. 4-time world champion, Pink Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, for instance, has but to attain a podium and is ranked an uncharacteristic ninth place within the standings with solely 12 factors scored by the opening three races in comparison with Antonelli’s 72 factors.
Clearly the Mercedes crew has hit on one thing with Russell successful the season-opener in Australia to offer group an ideal 3-0 begin to 2026. At this early level on the schedule, it’s been a take a look at of teammates.
“No, under no circumstances,’’ Russell rapidly responded when requested if there may be any stress but between the 2 teammates, reminding reporters this week, “We’re in race 4 of the season so it’s not even a consideration.
Kimi Antonelli of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Workforce walks in pit lane throughout previews forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami Worldwide Autodrome on April 30, 2026.
“In fact, [Kimi]’s achieved an incredible job up to now this yr. The final race was somewhat bit unlucky from my facet, however these items go a technique one weekend and swing again later within the yr. I’m skilled sufficient to know the way a Championship works and there’s a great distance forward.”
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Antonelli can also be well-aware of the excessive stakes and the fragile dance of racing wheel-to-wheel with a teammate.
“I feel the crew has been very clear with us for the reason that first race in Australia,’’ Antonelli reiterated. “They stated, ‘you’ll be able to race one another, however clearly, with respect and to not attempt to do any silly issues between one another as a result of on the finish of the day, we race one another.’ We wish to win and we wish to be the most effective, however on the similar time, we wish the most effective for the crew as nicely.
“So clearly the crew has given us the inexperienced gentle as a result of they wish to give each of us the identical quantity of alternatives,’’ he continued.
Regardless of his younger age and expertise degree, Antonelli has definitely settled into his presence on the world stage. And it’s been refreshing.
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He has been genuinely moved on the alternative to line up on the beginning grid alongside his idols comparable to seven-time world champion, Sir Lewis Hamilton and the game’s present famous person Verstappen.
Ought to he be part of Hamilton and Verstappen as one of many sport’s champions he could be the primary Italian to take action since Alberto Ascari (1952-53). The legend and former world champion Mario Andretti was born Italy, however competed in F1 as an American.
Antonelli involves Miami already the racing-rich nation’s first driver to win back-to-back grand prix since Ascari seven many years in the past. And by all accounts, he’s a favourite this weekend in South Florida.
“I’m conscious of what’s taking place, however I’m not attempting to focus an excessive amount of on that or fear,’’ Antonelli responded when reminded of the potential Italian racing historical past he might contribute to. “It’s nonetheless a really lengthy season, lots of races left and I do know on my facet, I simply must hold elevating the bar.
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“I do know that the street remains to be very lengthy and that, as I’ve stated earlier than, I must hold elevating the bar and hold delivering and hold specializing in the method and attempting to maximise each time the efficiency,’’ he continued.
“It was a extremely good second with China and Japan back-to-back, however now we’re again at it once more and it’s form of like a brand new begin. On my facet, I’ve obtained to be prepared. It’s not going to be simple and it’s going to be essential to attempt to hold or improve the extent.’’
