Certain victories in a row do not go unnoticed. Especially if you are not even twenty years old, you are a Formula 1 driver, yet you race with the ease of someone who has already ground out Grand Prix after Grand Prix. It is definitely the moment of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with his third consecutive victory on the circuit and at the top of the drivers’ standings – the youngest ever – behind the wheel of his Mercedes. But while the triumph in China was one of surprise and the subsequent one in Japan was a record, in Miami the 2006-born driver from Bologna showed the world that he is a champion in every sense. A classic tough race, a difficult start, laps and laps of chasing. Then signature overtakes and great resilience against the opponents’ attacks: a three-second margin at the end of a Grand Prix threatened by bad weather is quite an achievement.
And indeed the entire motorsport landscape can no longer help but notice his rising star. In England, The Guardian celebrates “the Italian superstar”. With Toto Wolff, executive director of Mercedes, making a very heavy comparison: Kimi is now to Formula 1 what Jannik Sinner is to tennis. “In these first races, he has been fantastic. He never makes mistakes, manages pressure brilliantly: I think none of us could have imagined such an exploit,” explains the executive. “We knew we were giving him a great car, but that he is able to capitalize on that technical advantage every single weekend is something special. The important thing is that he keeps his feet on the ground now; his parents will have an important role in this regard. And the biggest problem is the Italian public,” which has not admired such a winning driver for over half a century. “Now that the Azzurri did not qualify for the World Cup, everything revolves around Sinner and Antonelli: this Sunday Jannik won in Madrid, Kimi in Miami. They are two champions.”
Expectations are now sky-high, but it couldn’t be otherwise: in the history of Formula 1, beyond the precocity, it had never happened that a driver managed to convert his first three consecutive pole positions into as many race victories. Even L’Équipe, in France, crowns him “among the greatest: he kept the 2025 champion – Lando Norris, ndr – at bay, easily defeated an icon like Max Verstappen, and crossed the finish line with a wide margin over his experienced teammate George Russell.” Hats off, in short. Meanwhile, a measured newspaper like The Times recognizes that Formula 1 is dealing with “a true talent, capable of winning smoothly against Max.” The echo of Kimi reaches all the way to the United States, where The Athletic headlines “Antonelli passed his toughest test in Miami”. And it emphasizes how Italy had not had its driver on the top step of the podium since Giancarlo Fisichella (2006), and not consecutively since Alberto Ascari (1953).
“I am aware of what is happening,” Kimi smiles. “But I try not to focus too much on these milestones, nor to worry about the expectations that arise. In the end, there is still a long season ahead, with many races still to be run. And I know I just have to keep raising the bar: I have a very strong teammate, very fast, truly complete. And all the other opponents will get closer and closer.” The weight of first place will be felt soon, Kimi knows that too. But so far he has also shown that he can manage every source of stress very well, and that he can continue to do so. Otherwise, you don’t fly to the top of Formula 1 with the simple irreverence of a teenager.