Lionel Messi attends Miami Grand Prix to congratulate Kimi Antonelli
Lionel Messi joined stars in Miami to congratulate Kimi Antonelli, who won his third Grand Prix, reports BritPanorama.
The Inter Miami forward took a break from his footballing commitments for an afternoon filled with A-list company. Alongside his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, and their family, Messi personally congratulated Antonelli after an intense race.
Antonelli shared a heartfelt moment with the football icon, telling him, “I’m so happy that I met you,” as they embraced after the event.
The paddock atmosphere was further enhanced by the presence of tennis great Rafael Nadal and American music producer DJ Khaled. Former Bayern Munich centre-back Jerome Boateng also made an appearance, while golfers Jon Rahm and Ian Poulter added to the star-studded gathering in Miami.
In a remarkable display, Antonelli triumphed at the Miami Grand Prix, establishing a solid 20-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell in the championship standings. At just 19 years old, he became the first driver in history to convert his initial three pole positions into race victories.
The young Italian joins the elite ranks of former world champions Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen, achieving three consecutive Grand Prix wins. Lando Norris finished in second place for McLaren, with Oscar Piastri rounding out the podium in third.
Mercedes, having now secured victories in all four races this season, left pre-season favourite Russell trailing. Antonelli expressed his delight at the outcome: “The team did a great strategy. We did a massive undercut and we managed to bring it home even though it was not easy. This is just the beginning. The road is still long. We are working super hard and the team is doing an incredible job. Without them, I wouldn’t be here, so thanks to them and my family.”
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, Norris was visibly disappointed with the team’s tactics during the race, stating, “We got undercut, no excuses. We should have boxed first. As a team, we have to be happy. I am gutted to miss out on a win. It was possible today.” George Russell managed to secure fourth place after a late battle with Verstappen, who finished fifth following an early spin. Lewis Hamilton experienced a notable shift in fortune, moving from seventh to sixth after Charles Leclerc received a 20-second penalty.
This Grand Prix served not only as a showcase for thrilling racing but also as a poignant reminder of the sport’s ability to unite figures from diverse realms, highlighting how fleeting moments can spark connections across different sporting disciplines.
