Lionel Messi proves to be good luck charm for Kimi Antonelli in historic win at 2026 Miami Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli won the Miami Grand Prix after meeting Lionel Messi

Antonelli won the 57-lap race at Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium after capturing the pole on Saturday. He's the first driver in F1 history to earn his first three Grand Prix wins from pole positions. 

Per ESPN, he's the third driver to take his first three poles in consecutive races (Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna are the others). He's also the third driver to take his first three wins in consecutive races, joining Graham Hill and Mika Hakkinen, more great company. All of the aforementioned racers won a drivers' championship during their careers. 

The historic win, however, didn't come easily for Antonelli. He lost the lead to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc after a messy start on the first lap. He quickly regained it but then had to battle McLaren driver Lando Norris, the defending drivers' champion. He never relinquished the lead after Norris pitted on Lap 28. 

Antonelli, who turns 20 on Aug. 25, is now first in the drivers' standings with 100 points, ahead of Russell (80 points) and Leclerc (63 points). 

"This is just the beginning; the road is still long," Antonelli said after the race, per F1's website. "But we're working super hard, the team is doing an incredible job, and without them I wouldn't be here — so it's mainly thanks to them, my family.

"I'm going to enjoy this one and then get back to work because Canada is in two weeks' time."

If Antonelli can keep winning, it would help him follow a similar path to eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi, a former wunderkind who became one of the best players in his sport.