Five weeks after the last Formula 1 race, Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) entered the winners’ list in Miami. Lando Norris (McLaren) and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) took the podium places.
The first three races of the season were already a demonstration of power by Mercedes – that should continue in Miami. Antonelli underlined Stuttgart’s dominance with his third win of the season in the fourth race and extended his overall championship lead. George Russel came fourth. In the overall standings, Antonelli, who is only 19 years old, is now 20 points ahead of his teammate.
Hectic start to the race
World Championship leader Antonelli, who was in pole position, botched the start. Both the Mercedes driver and Max Verstappen (Red Bull) braked – and Charles Leclerc initially benefited. The Ferrari driver, who started from third position, was leading the field.
It was a hectic race, especially at the beginning, which was held three hours earlier because the organizers had feared heavy rain. However, it remained dry throughout the entire race.
On lap six, Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) landed in the wall through his own fault and was out. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) pushed Pierre Gasly (Alpine) off the track, causing him to even roll over.
Verstappen with a race to catch up and a driving error
Nico Hülkenberg gave up after nine laps after damaging his front wing on lap four and apparently also suffering from gearbox damage. Lawson also had to stop at this point.
Meanwhile, Verstappen used the extended safety car phase to put on hard tires very early on – and had to rein in the field from behind. The Dutchman started to catch up, but slowed himself down.
The Dutchman made a driving error because he crossed a floor line and received a five-second time penalty for this. In the end, he and his Red Bull car finished fifth.
Leclerc loses grip
At the front of the field in the early stages, the trio Leclerc, Lando Norris (McLaren) and Antonelli did their laps and fought a battle of attrition with several position changes. In the meantime, Norris managed to take the lead and even gradually expand his lead.
But Antonelli stuck with it after his pit stop – after 27 laps – and took advantage of the moment and took the lead ahead of Norris. And he didn’t give them away anymore.
Leclerc had also worked his way forward again, but lost grip shortly before the finish, spun and ended up only sixth.
The fifth race of the season will take place in Canada in three weeks.
