FIA Confirms Deleted Laps from Miami Sprint Race, Impacting Red Bull, Mercedes, and Others
The FIA has released its official list of deleted lap times following Saturday’s sprint race at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, revealing that several top teams, including Mercedes and Red Bull Racing, were affected. The verdict follows a dramatic and penalty-filled sprint session that significantly reshuffled the provisional starting grid for Sunday’s main event.
Among the drivers hit with track limits infractions were some of the most high-profile names on the grid. Laps were deleted for not keeping within the track boundaries at Turns 11, 15, and 17, areas that have proven to be particularly challenging at the Miami International Autodrome. According to the report filed by the race director, a total of four drivers were found to have left the designated track at these corners, prompting the deletion of their affected lap times.
Tough Break for Mercedes’ Rising Star
One of the most notable storylines from the weekend was the stunning performance by Mercedes’ rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old made headlines on Friday by becoming the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to secure pole position in any format of the sport after dominating the sprint qualifying session. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s historic achievement, calling it a “special moment” for both the driver and the team.
However, Antonelli’s hopes of turning his maiden pole into a victory quickly unraveled at the start of the sprint race. After a poor launch off the line, he was immediately overtaken by both McLaren cars and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull, dropping him to fourth place by the exit of Turn 1. The situation only worsened for the young Italian as the race progressed.
Antonelli’s sprint ended in further disappointment when a lap time was deleted for exceeding track limits, and to make matters worse, he was involved in a controversial incident with Verstappen that impacted both drivers’ races.
Verstappen’s Chaotic Sprint Ends in Disaster
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen endured one of his worst sprint race performances in recent memory. The Dutch driver finished in 17th and last place after being slapped with a 10-second time penalty for an unsafe release during a pit stop. The penalty was issued after Red Bull released Verstappen into the path of Antonelli, forcing the Mercedes rookie to take evasive action to avoid a major collision.
The incident drew immediate scrutiny from race officials, and the stewards were swift in handing down the penalty. Verstappen’s woes didn’t end there — a disappointing race pace, compounded by the penalty, ensured he finished out of the points. It was a rare off-day for the usually dominant Red Bull ace.
Red Bull and AlphaTauri Also Penalized
In addition to Verstappen’s troubles, Red Bull’s sister team, now known as Racing Bulls (formerly AlphaTauri), also faced issues in the sprint. Yuki Tsunoda had one of his lap times deleted after going wide at Turn 15. His time of 1:39.140 was scrubbed from the official timesheets, contributing to a frustrating session for the Red Bull-affiliated garages.
Williams and Alpine Round Out the Deleted Lap List
The FIA’s review also identified two other drivers who breached track limits and had lap times erased. Alpine’s reserve driver Jack Doohan, stepping in for Esteban Ocon this weekend, had one of his laps invalidated for leaving the track at Turn 11. Doohan has been under scrutiny as he vies for a full-time seat in 2026, and this incident didn’t help his case.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz, who has struggled to find consistent form since switching teams, also had a tough sprint outing. The Spaniard had a lap deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 17, and his day went from bad to worse when he later crashed out of the race entirely. It marked a dismal end to a chaotic day for the former Ferrari driver, who had been hoping to use the sprint to gain valuable points and momentum heading into the main race.
Revised Grid and Final Thoughts
With all the penalties and deleted laps accounted for, the FIA has now confirmed the official starting grid for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix. The list reflects the multitude of penalties that reshaped the outcome of Saturday’s sprint, leaving some top contenders further down the grid than anticipated.
The sprint race at Miami was yet another reminder of how unpredictable and punishing Formula 1 can be. For rookies like Antonelli, it offered both a glimpse of promise and a hard lesson in the unforgiving nature of elite motorsport. For seasoned veterans like Verstappen and Sainz, it was a day to forget — though one that could have major championship implications depending on how the rest of the weekend unfolds.
With tensions running high and plenty of redemption on the line, all eyes now turn to the main event on Sunday, where drivers will be eager to bounce back from a chaotic sprint and reclaim valuable points in the championship battle.
