Soccer legend Lionel Messi congratulated Kimi Antonelli within the Mercedes hospitality unit after his Miami Grand Prix triumph.
The Italian driver delivered one other sturdy efficiency across the Miami Worldwide Autodrome, changing his third pole place of the 2026 Components 1 season into his third win.
Mercedes shared a video of the 19-year-old again with the crew as he recovered from the grand prix. “It was robust. So scorching. So humid,” he advised the digital camera. “Oh, it was intense. At some factors, I regarded on the display screen once I was on arduous, I noticed 20 laps left. I used to be like, ‘No, I simply need this race to be over’.
“I used to be like, ‘Please, please, simply be over, please be over rapidly.'”
As he made his approach again via the hospitality unit, Antonelli was met with cheers. Messi, who was a visitor of the Brackley outfit along with his household, approached the driving force to congratulate him.Â
“Little Kimi making Messi smile, a uncommon sight,” one fan commented on the video, whereas one other added: “How a lot expertise and humility collectively… You may’t assist however really feel completely happy that Kimi wins.”
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Antonelli prolonged his lead within the drivers’ championship on the Miami Grand Prix. After simply 4 rounds of the season, he now has a 20-point lead over his Mercedes team-mate George Russell. He has additionally grow to be the primary driver to transform his first three pole positions into wins.
“That is just the start. The street remains to be lengthy. We’re working tremendous arduous and the crew is doing an unimaginable job,” Antonelli stated after the race.
“With out them, I would not be right here, so because of them and my household. I’ll get pleasure from this one then get again to work.”
The subsequent race is the Canadian Grand Prix on 22-24 Might.
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