Mercedes’ run of victories in 2026 ended as Lando Norris claimed the sprint race win ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.
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The McLaren driver led a one-two finish as team mate Oscar Piastri swept past Andrea Kimi Antonelli immediately after the start to take second. The pair maintained their positions in updated MCL40s for the full 19-lap sprint, crossing the line together with Norris ahead.
Charles Leclerc stayed close to Piastri but could not find a way past. Leclerc also overtook Antonelli at the start but criticised the Mercedes driver’s defensive driving over the radio, saying: “Kimi is so bad on wheel-to-wheel. He moved under braking. It’s unbelievable. We’re going to crash.”
Leclerc held off Antonelli’s attempts to retake third until the Mercedes driver was caught by his team mate. George Russell had made a strong start, getting ahead of Max Verstappen and passing Antonelli for fourth at turn 17 on lap seven. Antonelli fought back to reclaim the place at the next opportunity.
Lewis Hamilton also got ahead of Verstappen at the start, the two running side-by-side through the opening corners. Verstappen attacked on lap eight and again on lap 11, diving down the inside of Leclerc but running wide at the corner exit and taking the Ferrari off-line. Team radio instructed Verstappen to give the place back, which he did, before making a clean pass at turn 17 on the following lap.
Hamilton fell away from Verstappen in the subsequent laps and missed the chance to gain a position before the chequered flag. Antonelli exceeded track limits on four occasions during the race and received a five-second time penalty, which dropped him to sixth behind Russell and Verstappen. That result reduced Piastri’s championship lead over his team mate to seven points.
Isack Hadjar moved around Franco Colapinto to secure ninth place but could not prevent Pierre Gasly from taking the final point for the other Alpine.
Gabriel Bortoleto finished 11th, while only one Audi made it to the start. Nico Hulkenberg’s team mate suffered a mechanical issue on his reconnaissance lap, with flames appearing from the car’s rear, and Arvid Lindblad also retired early in the session.
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