In an electrifying race amid a sellout Miami Gardens crowd, 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli claimed a historic victory at the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. Starting from pole, Antonelli stayed composed through chaotic moments, securing his first win of the season and extending his lead in the Drivers’ Championship by 20 points — making him the first driver in F1 history to win his first three races from pole position.
The race was packed with drama: pole-sitter Antonelli had a slow start, but chaos erupted early when Max Verstappen spun in front of the pack, dropping to tenth. The race also saw multiple Safety Car periods caused by crashes, including a fiery incident involving Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and a spectacular rollover by Pierre Gasly, who thankfully escaped uninjured.
Strategic pit stops played a crucial role. Mercedes’s Antonelli made a decisive overcut on lap 27, pitting at the perfect moment to leap ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris, who finished second just four seconds behind. Piastri claimed third after a fierce battle with Charles Leclerc, who spun and damaged his Ferrari late in the race. Behind, a thrilling tussle between Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Max Verstappen kept fans on the edge of their seats.
The atmosphere was electric, with celebrity guests including Jimmy Fallon, Lionel Messi, Rafael Nadal, and Colin Farrell witnessing the spectacle. Thanks to clever weather strategy, the race was held in dry conditions despite morning thunderstorms, surprising many with its intense action.
Backstage, the day was decorated with star power and energy — from performances by Kane Brown and Loud Luxury to an inspiring rendition of the U.S. National Anthem by 10-year-old Miami native Alexandria Arango.
Fans are already invited to join the priority list for early tickets to next year’s race at f1miamigp.com. With this thrilling race behind us and history made, the future of Miami’s grand prix looks brighter than ever.
Photo Credit: FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX
