Kimi Antonelli expects Ferrari to close gap with major Miami upgrades. Kimi Antonelli admits Ferrari and McLaren could close the gap in Miami thanks to major upgrades.

Kimi Antonelli shared his thoughts during the Miami Grand Prix press conference, the fourth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, offering a clear and honest assessment of the competitive picture heading into the weekend.

Antonelli arrives in Miami as championship leader

For the very first time in his still extremely short Formula 1 career, Kimi Antonelli arrives in the paddock as the leader of the World Championship. In Miami, all eyes are firmly on the young Italian driver, who has taken the paddock by surprise with two victories in the opening three races. His performances have impressed not only fans and insiders but also his own team and teammate George Russell, who may have initially underestimated the rapid rise of the Bologna-born talent.

The recent break in the calendar likely came at the worst possible moment for Antonelli, interrupting a period in which he was operating at peak confidence, ambition, and motivation. However, the forced stop caused by the situation in Iran also gave the 2006-born driver the opportunity to reflect on what he achieved between Shanghai and Suzuka.

Now, even in his words, there is a noticeable shift: Kimi Antonelli appears far more aware of his own capabilities. He is openly ready to take on Russell in what promises to be an increasingly intense intra-team battle, but at the same time, he does not rule out Ferrari and McLaren from the fight for victory. According to him, both rivals are set to introduce significantly larger upgrade packages compared to Mercedes, potentially reshuffling the competitive order.

Antonelli’s comments

“It’s really nice to come back to the track where I took my first Sprint pole. Clearly this year will be different, the cars are not the same, but it will be a very interesting weekend for us. We are only bringing small upgrades, while others are introducing much bigger developments — that applies to Ferrari, McLaren and also Red Bull. They will definitely get closer, and for us it might mean we have to work a lot harder, but we will do our best, keep our heads down and try to extract the maximum,” Antonelli explained during the press conference.

One area that clearly requires improvement is the race start, a phase in which Kimi Antonelli has struggled on several occasions throughout the 2026 season so far. The young Italian openly addressed this weakness and the efforts being made to solve it.

“We carried out some start practice during the break, working closely with the team to understand exactly where the problem was. It seems that we have identified it, and now we need to find a solution as quickly as possible. It won’t be something straightforward, because it requires quite a significant change in how I operate the clutch paddles and how I position my hands, but I am doing my best,” he added.

As the Miami weekend unfolds, Kimi Antonelli’s ability to maintain his impressive form will be closely monitored, particularly in light of the expected gains from Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull. With the championship leader facing increasing pressure from both his teammate and rival teams, the Florida circuit could provide a crucial test of both his pace and his adaptability at the highest level of motorsport.