Lionel Messi congratulates Kimi Antonelli after Miami GP win
Lionel Messi congratulated Kimi Antonelli after the 19-year-old converted pole into victory at the Miami Grand Prix
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: James Sutton / Formula 1 / Formula Motorsport Ltd via Getty Images
Football legend Lionel Messi congratulated Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes hospitality unit after his Miami Grand Prix triumph.
The Italian driver delivered another strong performance around the Miami International Autodrome, converting his third pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season into his third win.
Mercedes shared a video of the 19-year-old back with the team as he recovered from the grand prix. "It was tough. So hot. So humid," he told the camera. "Oh, it was intense. At some points, I looked at the screen when I was on hard, I saw 20 laps left. I was like, 'No, I just want this race to be over'.
"I was like, 'Please, please, just be over, please be over quickly.'"
As he made his way back through the hospitality unit, Antonelli was met with cheers. Messi, who was a guest of the Brackley outfit with his family, approached the driver to congratulate him.
"Little Kimi making Messi smile, a rare sight," one fan commented on the video, while another added: "How much talent and humility together... You can't help but feel happy that Kimi wins."
Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers' championship at the Miami Grand Prix. After just four rounds of the season, he now has a 20-point lead over his Mercedes team-mate George Russell. He has also become the first driver to convert his first three pole positions into wins.
"This is just the beginning. The road is still long. We are working super hard and the team is doing an incredible job," Antonelli said after the race.
"Without them, I wouldn't be here, so thanks to them and my family. I'm going to enjoy this one then get back to work."
The next race is the Canadian Grand Prix on 22-24 May.
Photos from Miami GP - Sunday
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
Miami GP - Sunday, in photos
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.- The Motorsport.com Team
Share Or Save This Story
Toto Wolff keeps Mercedes grounded ahead of crucial Canadian GP upgrades
Rob Smedley slams slow F1 pitwall responses as "unacceptable"
David Coulthard left "speechless" after testing Formula E Gen4 car
Will Mercedes or McLaren land the next blow at F1's Canadian GP?
Mercedes is temporarily banning Kimi Antonelli from the Nurburgring, here’s why
'Antonelli and Sinner, Sinner and Antonelli' - Italy should handle its latest sporting hero with care
Latest news
Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a largely throwback All Star Race idea
Kevin Harvick on Natalie Decker: "I don't like to see a mockery made out of what our sport is"
The milk of choice for every 2026 Indy 500 driver
Enter the simulation - How GM tech accelerated Cadillac's F1 entry
Feature
The F1 power unit formula solution that could suit all parties
How F1's ADUO system works
How Colton Herta is chasing his F1 dream
How Formula 1 driving has changed – and stayed the same
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Top Comments