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
Share Or Save This Story
Susie Wolff explains why F1 Academy cannot be a "charity project" as series grows
Red Bull's Austrian GP upgrade package compared to "B-spec" F1 car by former mechanic
Arvid Lindblad reveals emotional hand-drawn helmet for first F1 British GP
George Russell claimed a much-needed win in Austria, but could Max Verstappen - or Kimi Antonelli - have won?
Toto Wolff points to Max Verstappen factor behind Red Bull's Austria pace
Kimi Antonelli frustrated by horror start to F1 Austrian GP
George Russell resorted to "abnormal" driving style to win F1 Austrian GP
Mercedes boss questions how Ferrari can afford "limitless" F1 upgrades
What were Antonelli’s chances of starting on the front row in Austria without his yellow-flag blunder?
Yamaha confirms Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will leave at end of 2026 MotoGP season
Adrian Newey hopes Aston Martin upgrades keep Fernando Alonso "in the cockpit for another season"
Could Max Verstappen mount a title challenge? "We still have too many issues"
"Slowed down overnight": Rivals show sympathy for AMG frustration
How Arvid Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
Why F1's engine-upgrade picture is becoming ever more ludicrous
George Russell claimed a much-needed win in Austria, but could Max Verstappen - or Kimi Antonelli - have won?
What were Antonelli’s chances of starting on the front row in Austria without his yellow-flag blunder?
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.
Top Comments