Lionel Messi is on site at the Miami Grand Prix and witnesses Antonelli’s dominance firsthand—the two later meet in person
Soccer legend Lionel Messi congratulated Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes hospitality area following his triumph at the Miami Grand Prix.
The Italian driver once again delivered a strong performance at the Miami International Autodrome, turning his third pole position of the 2026 season into his third victory.
On Platform X, Mercedes released a video showing the 19-year-old returning to the team after the Grand Prix. “It was tough. So hot. So humid,” Antonelli says to the camera. “Oh, it was intense. At some points, I looked at the screen when I was on the hard tires and saw that there were still 20 laps left. I thought to myself, ‘No, I just want this race to be over.’”
Encounter in the hospitality area causes a stir
As he made his way through the Mercedes hospitality area, Antonelli was greeted with applause. Messi, who was there with his family as a guest of the team, approached the driver and congratulated him in person.
Fans also reacted to the scene on social media. One user wrote, “Little Kimi makes Messi smile—a rare sight,” while another commented, “So much talent and humility combined. You can’t help but be happy that Kimi is winning.”
Antonelli Extends Lead in Overall Standings
With this victory, Antonelli further extends his lead in the drivers’ standings. After four races this season, he now leads his teammate George Russell by 20 points. He is also the first driver to convert his first three pole positions into victories.
“This is just the beginning. There’s still a long way to go. We’re working extremely hard, and the team is doing an incredible job,” Antonelli explained after the race. “I wouldn’t be here without them, so thanks to the team and my family. I’m going to enjoy this moment and then get back to work.”
The next stop of the season takes place May 22–24 in Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix. After three wins from three pole positions, the focus is on whether Antonelli can continue his historic run at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve in Montreal or if the competition will strike back for the first time.
