Kimi Antonelli has been praised by former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok after resisting sustained pressure from reigning world champion Lando Norris to win the 2026 Miami Grand Prix.
Antonelli started the race from pole position at the Hard Rock Stadium, but his victory was far from straightforward. The Mercedes driver lost the lead at the start to Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before later becoming locked in a tense battle with Norris.
A successful undercut helped Antonelli regain control of the race, but the McLaren driver remained close enough to keep the pressure on until the chequered flag.
The result gave Antonelli his third grand prix victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season and strengthened his position at the top of the drivers’ championship.
Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Show, Chandhok said Antonelli had done an excellent job of absorbing the pressure from Norris during the closing phase of the race.
According to Chandhok, the outcome could have been different if McLaren had chosen to pit Norris first. He felt the McLaren driver had enough pace to potentially hold track position if the strategy had played out in his favour.
However, Chandhok stressed that Antonelli still had to deliver under intense pressure, with Norris running around one to one-and-a-half seconds behind him for roughly 28 or 29 laps.
Chandhok explained that even a small mistake from Antonelli could have opened the door for Norris. A lock-up, a moment running wide or a slight mismanagement of energy could have allowed the McLaren driver to make a move.
Norris was close enough to use overtake mode on loveral occasions, but Antonelli remained composed and avoided giving the reigning champion a clear opportunity.
Chandhok described Antonelli’s drive as a fantastic performance, highlighting the mental strength required to handle that level of pressure and still take the win.
Chandhok also recalled meeting Antonelli shortly after the race, describing the young Mercedes driver as friendly, grounded and approachable despite arriving straight from the podium.
He said Antonelli was travelling without an entourage, carrying a small rucksack and speaking warmly with people in the cabin as many congratulated him on his victory.
Antonelli’s Miami Grand Prix victory extended his lead in the drivers’ standings to 20 points over his more experienced Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
With three grand prix wins already in the 2026 season, the young Italian continues to strengthen his case as one of the standout performers of the year.
