Antonelli ‘Stupendous’ and Leclerc’s ‘Lairy Final Lap’ – Driver Ratings for the Miami Grand Prix

The Formula 1 circus roared back to life after a five-week hiatus, and the Miami Grand Prix delivered exactly the kind of chaotic, high-octane drama we have come to expect from the sunshine state. If the paddock was worried about a post-spring break lull, those fears were obliterated in a flurry of wheel-to-wheel combat, controversial penalties, and a masterclass in race management from the championship leader.

At the heart of the story is Kimi Antonelli, who has extended his title lead to a commanding 41 points over third-placed Charles Leclerc. While the Italian’s victory was a statement of pure dominance, the weekend was defined by a spectacular meltdown from the Ferrari camp. Leclerc’s “lairy” final lap—a spin and subsequent unsafe re-joining—earned him a post-race 20-second penalty that dropped him from sixth to eighth, handing vital points to his rivals.

Let’s break down the grid. Here are my exclusive driver ratings for how every competitor performed across the full Miami weekend, from practice through the chequered flag.

Kimi Antonelli (P1) – Rating: 9.5/10 – “Stupendous”

What more can be said about the 18-year-old phenomenon? Antonelli didn’t just win in Miami; he dominated. After a five-week break that could have disrupted any young driver’s rhythm, he arrived in Florida with laser focus. His qualifying lap was inch-perfect, putting him on pole. But it was his racecraft that truly separated him from the pack.

When the safety car bunched the field, Antonelli managed the restart with the poise of a ten-year veteran. He never put a wheel wrong, managing tyre degradation perfectly while keeping the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri at arm’s length. This was a championship-winning drive.

Key highlights:

• Flawless start from pole position.
• Exemplary tyre management in the high heat of Miami.
• Never once looked threatened by the chasing pack.
• Extended his title lead to 41 points over Leclerc.

Prediction: If Antonelli continues this trajectory, the title race will be over before the European season ends. He is driving with a maturity that belies his age.

McLaren Duo: Norris & Piastri (P2 & P3) – Rating: 8.5/10

The Woking team brought a strong package to Miami, and both drivers extracted maximum performance. Lando Norris was the aggressor in the closing stages, pushing Antonelli hard but ultimately lacking the outright pace to make a clean pass. He settled for a solid second place, which keeps him firmly in the championship fight.

Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri delivered another quiet but devastatingly effective performance. He matched Norris’s pace for much of the race and was the beneficiary of Leclerc’s late drama, moving up to third. The Australian is becoming the ultimate “shadow” driver—always there to pick up the pieces when others falter.

Key highlights:

• Norris’s late-race pressure forced Antonelli to stay sharp.
• Piastri’s consistency is earning him a reputation as a future champion.
• McLaren now has the second-fastest car on pure pace.

Prediction: McLaren are the clear second force. If they can find one more tenth of a second in qualifying, they will start winning races regularly.

Charles Leclerc (P8 after penalty) – Rating: 4/10 – “Lairy” and Costly

This was a weekend to forget for the Monegasque. While Ferrari had a reasonable car, Leclerc’s race unravelled in spectacular fashion. The defining moment came on the final lap when he spun exiting the chicane. What followed was a dangerous re-joining of the track, forcing other drivers to take evasive action. The stewards had no choice but to hand out a 20-second time penalty, dropping him from sixth to eighth.

The term “lairy” is the perfect description. It was wild, uncontrolled, and frankly, below the standard expected of a driver of his calibre. This was not just a mistake; it was a multiple-offence infraction that included leaving the track and driving in an unsafe condition.

Key highlights:

• Qualified well but lacked race-winning pace.
• Spun on the final lap under minimal pressure.
• Received a 20-second penalty for unsafe driving.
• Lost vital ground in the title fight (now 41 points behind Antonelli).

Prediction: Leclerc needs a reset. The gap to Antonelli is now perilously close to being insurmountable unless he wins the next three races. The pressure is mounting at Maranello.

The Midfield Battles: Surprises and Disappointments

Miami always throws up a few curveballs in the midfield, and this year was no different. Fernando Alonso drove a typically combative race to finish just outside the points, but his Aston Martin continues to lack top-end speed. Meanwhile, Yuki Tsunoda was the star of the midfield, dragging his RB into a points-scoring position through sheer aggression.

Driver ratings for the midfield:

• Yuki Tsunoda (P9): 8/10 – Out-drove the car’s potential. A masterclass in defensive driving.
• Lewis Hamilton (P7): 7/10 – A quiet, professional drive. He is slowly extracting more from the Mercedes, but they are still a step off the pace.
• Sergio Perez (P10): 6/10 – Did enough to score a point, but the Red Bull is clearly struggling. He cannot afford to be this anonymous.
• Esteban Ocon (P11): 7/10 – Unlucky not to score. The Alpine is improving, and he is driving with renewed confidence.

Prediction: Watch for Tsunoda. If RB gives him a better car, he could be a regular top-six finisher in the second half of the season.

What the Miami Grand Prix Tells Us About the Title Race

The 2024 season is shaping up to be a battle of consistency versus volatility. Kimi Antonelli is the epitome of consistency. He doesn’t make mistakes. He doesn’t have “lairy” moments. He simply executes the plan. In contrast, Charles Leclerc is the wildcard. When he is on form, he is untouchable. But when he is off, as we saw in Miami, the errors are catastrophic.

The 41-point gap is significant. To put it in perspective, Leclerc would need to win two races while Antonelli finishes outside the points just to draw level. That seems unlikely given the current form of the championship leader. The Ferrari camp will be holding urgent debriefs this week to understand why their driver felt the need to push so hard on the final lap that he lost control.

Expert analysis: The real story of Miami is not that Antonelli won—it is that he won comfortably while his main rival self-destructed. This is the hallmark of a champion. He doesn’t just beat you; he waits for you to beat yourself.

Strong Conclusion: The New Order in Formula 1

As the sun set over the Miami paddock, one thing became crystal clear: we are witnessing a changing of the guard. Kimi Antonelli is no longer just a promising rookie; he is the definitive title favourite. His performance was “stupendous” in every sense of the word—a perfect blend of raw speed and strategic intelligence.

For Charles Leclerc, this is a moment of reckoning. The “lairy final lap” was a symptom of desperation, not skill. He has the talent to recover, but the margin for error is now zero. The McLarens of Norris and Piastri are circling like sharks, ready to pounce on any further Ferrari weakness.

Miami was a statement race. It told us that Antonelli is the present and the future. The question now is whether anyone can stop him. Based on this weekend’s evidence, the answer is a resounding no. The championship is his to lose, and if he keeps driving like this, he won’t lose it.

Source: Based on news from BBC Sport.