Red Bull has been dealt a blow at the Miami Grand Prix after the FIA confirmed that Isack Hadjar has been disqualified from qualifying, meaning he will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid.
The 21-year-old Frenchman had originally qualified ninth for the main Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome. But post-qualifying technical checks revealed an illegal element on his RB22, leading to a disqualification verdict from the stewards.
Floor Breach Costs Hadjar P9
Following Saturday’s qualifying session, FIA scrutineers found that the floor boards on Hadjar’s car extended 2 millimeters beyond the legal reference volume on both the left-hand side and right-hand side. This is a breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Technical Regulations, which governs the dimensions of the floor and plank area.
Jo Bauer, the FIA’s Technical Director, referred the matter to the stewards for consideration ahead of Sunday’s race. Given that the standard penalty for this type of technical infringement is disqualification from the session, the outlook was grim for Hadjar and Red Bull.
Hadjar was summoned to see the stewards at midday UK time. Shortly after, the FIA confirmed he had been disqualified from the qualifying classification. His P9 grid slot was declared null and void.
A statement from the FIA read: “The stewards heard from the team representatives of Car 6 (Isack Hadjar). They did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD. This is a breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations and the usual consequences follow an admitted breach of the technical regulations.”
Pit Lane Start Avoided, But Back of Grid Confirmed
As punishment, Hadjar has been disqualified from the qualifying results. However, the stewards granted him permission to start the race. He will now line up 22nd and last on the grid for Sunday’s 57-lap Miami Grand Prix, rather than starting from the pit lane.
It’s a significant setback for the Red Bull rookie. Hadjar had delivered a strong performance in qualifying to secure ninth, out-qualifying several midfield rivals and putting himself in contention for points. Starting last on a street circuit like Miami, where overtaking is difficult, makes scoring points a much tougher task.
The disqualification is the latest drama in a chaotic Miami weekend. The event is running to the sprint format, which has already produced plenty of action. Saturday’s Sprint race saw Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto disqualified for an engine intake pressure breach. Sunday’s Grand Prix start time has also been moved forward by three hours to 1pm ET, 6pm BST, due to concerns over incoming weather.
Technical Rules Strictly Enforced
The FIA’s decision reinforces how rigorously technical regulations are policed in Formula 1. The floor and plank area is a key performance component, and even a 2mm deviation can provide an aerodynamic advantage. Article C3.5.5 sets out the reference volume that all parts of the floor must sit within. Any protrusion, however small, is a breach.
Red Bull did not dispute the findings. Once the Technical Delegate’s measurements confirmed the floor was outside the legal volume, disqualification was the automatic outcome under the regulations. Intent is not a factor in technical breaches — the car either complies or it doesn’t.
Championship Implications
For Hadjar, the penalty is especially painful given the progress he’s made this season. After scoring his first points in China, he was looking to build momentum in Miami. Instead, he faces a recovery drive from the back of the grid.
The disqualification also reshuffles the grid behind him. Everyone who qualified 10th to 22nd will move up one position. That benefits the likes of Audi, Haas, and Aston Martin, who gain a spot each.
At the front, Kimi Antonelli starts on pole for Mercedes, with Max Verstappen alongside him in the other Red Bull. Antonelli leads the championship heading into Sunday, while Verstappen remains a key title contender.
Hadjar’s disqualification means Red Bull has one car at the sharp end and one at the very back. The team will need a strong strategy to get him back into the points.
With weather threatening to play a role and the Miami circuit known for incidents, the race remains wide open. But for Isack Hadjar, Sunday will be about damage limitation after a qualifying high turned into a grid-drop low.
