Antonelli leads F1 championship after Miami win, Russell notes speed gap

Kimi Antonelli won his third Formula 1 race in a row, increasing his lead. George Russell, his teammate, was four-tenths slower in qualifying.
By Newsroom | Formula 1, Miami |

Kimi Antonelli has notched his third consecutive Formula 1 victory, extending his championship lead. His Mercedes teammate, George Russell, while professing to be unfazed, has pointed to track characteristics as a significant factor in the substantial qualifying gap observed at the Miami Grand Prix. Antonelli secured pole position, qualifying four-tenths faster than Russell, who qualified fifth.

George Russell is unfazed by Kimi Antonelli’s F1 win streak – but perhaps he should be - 1

Russell admitted that the Miami track's low-grip nature, with its hot tarmac and sliding conditions, has presented a particular challenge for his car and driving style, contributing to the significant pace difference. This mirrors a similar situation from the Sprint qualifying, where Antonelli also outperformed Russell. Despite a post-race penalty dropping Antonelli to sixth in the Sprint, the underlying performance gap remains a talking point.

George Russell is unfazed by Kimi Antonelli’s F1 win streak – but perhaps he should be - 2

Championship Picture and Team Dynamics

Antonelli, a young driver, now leads the championship by nine points over Russell. Russell, now in his fifth season with Mercedes and eighth overall in F1, finds himself in a title fight primarily against his teammate. He has stated that Antonelli's championship lead is "not even a consideration" at this stage of the season, emphasizing his focus on maximizing his own performance. Russell has also expressed confidence in Mercedes' commitment to fairness amidst their intra-team battle, despite entering the season as the pre-season favorite over the second-year driver Antonelli.

Read More: Norris Questions McLaren Strategy After Miami Grand Prix Second Place

George Russell is unfazed by Kimi Antonelli’s F1 win streak – but perhaps he should be - 3

Russell's Perspective and Past Performance

Russell acknowledged Antonelli's strong performance, noting his ability to "perform under pressure" and beat a more experienced teammate. He also admitted to wanting to "beat him" and that Antonelli's success is "annoying" in that regard. Russell also referenced the Miami Grand Prix qualifying from the previous year, where he also qualified fifth while Antonelli took pole for the Sprint.

George Russell is unfazed by Kimi Antonelli’s F1 win streak – but perhaps he should be - 4

Background

The Miami Grand Prix weekend is a Sprint event for the 2026 Formula 1 season. Antonelli's recent string of wins includes a maiden Grand Prix victory that saw him fend off competition, including Russell. Reports suggest Antonelli has benefitted from circumstances that affected Russell's performance in Shanghai, but has maintained composure in races. Antonelli is noted for his calm demeanor under pressure and his ability to absorb information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did Kimi Antonelli win the Miami Grand Prix?
Kimi Antonelli won his third Formula 1 race in a row at the Miami Grand Prix, extending his championship lead.
Q: Why was George Russell much slower than Antonelli in Miami qualifying?
George Russell said the Miami track's low grip and hot conditions made it hard for his car and driving style, causing a four-tenth gap to Antonelli in qualifying.
Q: What is the championship standing between Antonelli and Russell after Miami?
Kimi Antonelli now leads the Formula 1 championship by nine points over his teammate George Russell.
Q: Did Russell express frustration about Antonelli's performance?
Russell admitted Antonelli's success is 'annoying' and that he wants to beat him, but stated he is focused on his own performance and not the championship lead yet.
Q: Is this the first time Russell has been slower than Antonelli in Miami?
No, Russell also qualified fifth while Antonelli took pole for the Sprint qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix last year, showing a similar pace difference.