Isack Hadjar was disqualified from the qualifying session of the Miami Grand Prix due to a breach of technical regulations by Red Bull Racing. His car had floorboards protruding 2mm outside the permitted reference volume.
Hadjar initially qualified in ninth position before the disqualification. This ruling significantly impacts his race strategy as he will now start from the pit lane after changes to his power unit.
The FIA stewards confirmed the disqualification following an investigation. They stated that Red Bull did not dispute the findings of the technical delegate regarding the legality of the floor.
Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies expressed regret over the incident, saying, “We made a mistake and we respect the decision of the stewards.” He clarified that no performance advantage was intended.
The usual penalty for such violations is disqualification and starting from the pit lane, which applies in this case. The team accepted the findings without contesting them.
Hadjar’s situation underscores ongoing scrutiny within Formula 1 regarding compliance with FIA regulations. Teams must ensure adherence to these rules to avoid penalties that can alter race outcomes drastically.
The next steps for Hadjar and Red Bull involve adjustments to ensure compliance and strategizing for future races. The Miami Grand Prix will take place under heightened attention due to this incident.
