The FIA has confirmed that Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto has been disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race following a technical infringement found during post-session checks.
Bortoleto had originally finished 11th on the road in Saturday’s Sprint, just outside the points. However, routine scrutineering after the race revealed that his car breached technical regulations relating to engine intake air pressure.
According to the FIA’s technical delegate, the pressure in the engine’s air intake system exceeded the maximum legal limit of 4.8 barA. The rules state that intake air pressure must remain below 4.8 barA at all times during a session. Two FIA-approved sensors, installed at approved locations downstream of the charge air cooling system, recorded the breach.
After reviewing the report, the stewards summoned Audi representatives. The team acknowledged that the technical delegate’s findings were correct. In mitigation, Audi explained that the pressure spike occurred on one lap when engine temperatures rose higher than anticipated. The team said it took immediate action to bring the pressure back within the legal limit once the issue became apparent.
Despite recognizing Audi’s efforts to correct the problem, the stewards pointed out that the regulations are clear: the car must be in compliance “at all times.” Because the car ran outside the permitted parameters, even briefly, a penalty was mandatory.
“Given that this is a technical infringement, the usual penalty of a disqualification of Car 5 from the Sprint classification was applied,” the stewards’ verdict stated.
Miserable Sprint for Audi
The disqualification caps off a difficult Sprint for Audi in Miami. Teammate Nico Hulkenberg didn’t even make the start after a fiery exit on the out-lap to the grid. Hulkenberg’s car suffered a suspected power unit issue that caused smoke and flames, forcing him to pull off before the formation lap.
With Bortoleto’s disqualification, Audi leaves the Sprint with zero points and two cars classified as DNF or DSQ. It’s a setback for the team in its debut season, especially on a weekend where they had shown improved one-lap pace. Both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg had reached SQ2 in Sprint Qualifying, with Bortoleto starting 11th and Hulkenberg 12th.
Strict Technical Enforcement
The FIA’s decision underscores how tightly technical regulations are policed in Formula 1. Even minor or short-lived breaches can lead to disqualification, regardless of intent. The rules around intake pressure are designed to prevent teams from gaining performance advantages by running higher boost levels, which can increase engine power.
Audi’s explanation that high temperatures caused the spike will be little consolation. The stewards made it clear that teams are responsible for ensuring compliance throughout the entire session, not just for most of it. Once the sensors detected the breach, the penalty was automatic.
Impact on the Weekend
Bortoleto’s disqualification promotes everyone who finished behind him up one position in the final Sprint classification, although only the top eight score points. For the Brazilian rookie, it’s a harsh lesson in his first full F1 season. He had driven a clean race to 11th but leaves Miami with nothing to show for it.
Audi will now turn its attention to qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix, hoping to put the Sprint disappointment behind them. With Hulkenberg also needing a strong result after his DNF, the team faces pressure to deliver.
For the FIA, the incident is another example of the sport’s rigorous post-race checks ensuring a level playing field. While Audi’s breach was not deemed deliberate, the rules leave no room for discretion when it comes to technical compliance.
Bortoleto and Audi will look to bounce back in the main Grand Prix, but for now, Miami’s Sprint will go down as a weekend to forget for the newcomer team.
