Kimi Antonelli extended his lead in the championship further this weekend with a victory at the Miami GP. The two McLaren drivers were unable to stop the young championship leader; Norris and Piastri followed in P2 and P3 respectively. Max Verstappen, in turn, had to fight through the midfield after an early spin. The international media savored the spectacle in Florida.
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The English BBC Sport first and foremost praises Kimi Antonelli. The young Italian won his third race in a row, again from pole position. At 19 years old, Antonelli has already built an impressive record. “This is only Antonelli’s second season in Formula 1,” the report emphasizes. “His first season showed occasional promising moments, but nothing indicated this was coming. Yes, Mercedes has the best car, and yes, luck was against Russell in various ways in both the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, which he could have easily won,” the editor added. “But that does not take away from Antonelli, who has spectacularly raised his level this season.”
‘Alien’ Antonelli
Also in his home country Italy, nothing but praise is heard for Antonelli, who now has a twenty-point lead over teammate Russell. “In his purple racing suit, this boy was almost alien,” wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport after the Miami GP. “Out of nowhere, he appeared in the motorsport world and then conquered Miami as well. This is now the third Grand Prix he has won. Like the veteran he actually isn’t, he managed to keep the lightning-fast McLaren of the reigning world champion (Norris, ed.) behind him throughout the race.”
The Italians also enjoyed Max Verstappen as usual, who fought his way through the midfield after an early spin. “The Dutchman does not take home what he had hoped for, given his starting position and the aggression he showed on track,” the report continued. “Still, the steps Red Bull took in April are clearly visible.”
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Roll-over
After five weeks without Formula 1, the Miami GP delivered a chaotic spectacle, including several crashes and retirements. The notable collision between Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly stood out, according to BILD. “The roll-over overshadows Mercedes’ victory,” the German newspaper headlined. “Even without the rain chaos, this race was a real thriller,” the report said. “Teen sensation at Mercedes: Kimi Antonelli wins the Miami GP. The Mercedes driver stayed calm, kept the lead, and achieved his third F1 victory.”
“Credit where credit is due,” L’Équipe wrote finally. “Andrea Kimi Antonelli had a strange weekend in Florida but emerged as the big winner, especially compared to teammate George Russell. His third win was by no means a given, especially after another mediocre start. However, Antonelli benefited from Max Verstappen’s spin, which held up part of the field. After that, the Mercedes driver completed his race flawlessly, with a car that received few updates this weekend but clearly performed better in his hands than in Russell’s. That may be one of the Italian’s greatest qualities.”
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Read more Race Special GP Miami (about 40 pages): Max back at the front!
