Antonelli wins in Miami but criticizes his own race start

Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive Formula 1 victory at the Miami Grand Prix, yet immediately turned the focus to a recurring weakness: his race starts. Despite extending his championship lead, the Mercedes driver was openly critical of his launch off the line, which cost him the lead at the start and forced another comeback drive.

Why it matters:

In a championship battle where margins are razor-thin, a driver's ability to execute flawlessly from pole position is paramount. Antonelli's self-identified inconsistency at the start lights represents a critical vulnerability that could decide titles. His public acknowledgment of the flaw, even in victory, highlights a mature, analytical approach that could be key to eliminating it.

The details:

• Starting from pole, Antonelli lost the lead to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at Turn 1 due to a hesitant launch, mirroring issues from the Saturday Sprint race where he lost six places off the line.
• He described the Miami start as "a little bit better" but firmly stated it was "still not acceptable," citing a lack of confidence and consistency in his clutch drop procedure.
• The victory was secured through composure and race management, battling back against Lando Norris and managing late-race gearbox issues to take the checkered flag.
• Antonelli highlighted a mental shift from Saturday, where frustration took over, to Sunday, where he "kept it a bit cool" and focused forward, which proved decisive for his recovery.

What's next:

With a 20-point championship lead, the momentum is firmly with Antonelli. However, the coming races will test whether he and Mercedes can solve the start procedure puzzle. If they can translate his raw pace into clean launches from pole, his championship advantage could become insurmountable. If not, it leaves the door open for rivals to capitalize on his one clear area of weakness.