Antonelli Leads F1 into Miami GP with 9-Point Edge

Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Mercedes driver and youngest championship leader in Formula One history, heads into this weekend's Miami Grand Prix with a nine-point advantage over teammate George Russell after back-to-back victories in China and Japan.

The Italian secured his first career pole and win in China with a composed drive, becoming the youngest polesitter ever. In Japan, he overcame a poor start following Oliver Bearman's crash, which triggered a safety car that aided his recovery to victory. Those results, ahead of a month-long break that canceled the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races due to the Middle East conflict, position Antonelli to chase a third straight win at the Miami International Autodrome. A title this year would make him Formula One's youngest champion by more than three years.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff highlighted the break's value. "After a month without any racing, we are ready to get back on track," Wolff said. "We've used this time to analyze the opening races, address our weaknesses and raise our level." The weekend introduces revised rules, including reduced battery recharging in qualifying and increased superclipping power to minimize...