Winners and Losers from the Miami Grand Prix

The Miami Grand Prix delivered high drama without a drop of rain, with Kimi Antonelli securing another victory for Mercedes while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc suffered a spectacular fall from grace. McLaren emerged as the biggest points scorer and closest challenger, signaling a potential shift in the competitive order behind the reigning champions.

Why it matters:

Beyond the podium, the race revealed critical narratives for the 2026 season: McLaren's confirmed step forward against Ferrari, a rookie's commanding performance under pressure, and a backmarker team's vital resurgence. These developments set the stage for an intriguing development battle as the European leg of the season approaches.

The details:

• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes, Winner): Secured what may be his most impressive win yet, executing decisive passes on Lando Norris and Max Verstappen during a pivotal pit-stop phase to maintain Mercedes' perfect 2026 record. His performance is increasingly looking like a product of skill, not just superior machinery.
• McLaren (2nd & 3rd): The weekend's top scorers. Despite Lando Norris's frustration at not winning a race he led, the team demonstrated it now has the second-fastest package, applying genuine pressure on Mercedes. A second major upgrade is imminent for Canada.
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, 8th): A disastrous race unfolded from an early pit stop he questioned, leading to a spin and a subsequent 20-second post-race penalty for repeated track limits violations. It encapsulated Ferrari's recurring struggles with operational execution and driver errors.
• George Russell (Mercedes, 4th): Admitted to a poor performance, struggling for pace in a car capable of winning. He spent the final laps experimenting with settings, but was ultimately fortunate to gain a position from Leclerc's last-lap error.
• Williams (9th & 10th): Achieved an unexpected double-points finish after finally introducing its delayed race-one upgrade package. Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz capitalized on early chaos, though a 20-second gap to Alpine ahead shows more pace is needed.
• Max Verstappen (Red Bull, 5th): A race of extremes. A first-lap spin to avoid Leclerc and controversial racecraft were offset by breathtaking car control and a mammoth 51-lap stint on hard tires to salvage a respectable result from a messy weekend.

What's next:

The field heads to Montreal with clear momentum shifts. McLaren will bring its second major upgrade, aiming to convert pace into a victory. Williams will seek to build on its newfound points-scoring form, while Ferrari and Red Bull's Isack Hadjar—who crashed out in Miami—face urgent pressure to rebound. Antonelli's championship lead continues to grow, solidifying his and Mercedes' dominant early-season narrative.