Isack Hadjar Disqualified from Miami Grand Prix Qualifying as Floor Boards Violate Regulations

Key facts

• Isack Hadjar, 21, qualified ninth for the Miami Grand Prix.
• His Red Bull RB22 failed post-session scrutineering: both floor boards protruded 2mm beyond permitted boundaries.
• The breach violated Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations.
• Hadjar was disqualified from qualifying and started from the pitlane.
• Red Bull fitted new power unit elements for the pitlane start.
• Hadjar crashed at Turn 14/15 chicane on lap five, ending his race.
• He admitted he 'wasn’t focussed' and called the crash 'a tough one'.

A Weekend of Promise Unravels

Isack Hadjar’s Miami Grand Prix weekend collapsed in two decisive moments: a technical disqualification and a solo crash. The 21-year-old Frenchman had qualified ninth for the race, but his Red Bull RB22 was found illegal in routine post-session scrutineering. Both the left-hand and right-hand side floor boards protruded 2mm outside the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD, a breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA Formula 1 regulations. The team did not dispute the finding, and the stewards imposed the usual penalty: exclusion from the qualifying results. That decision sent Hadjar to the back of the grid. Red Bull then opted to give him new power unit elements, forcing a pitlane start. He was the only driver to begin the race on hard tyres, a compound with less grip than the mediums and softs used by his rivals.

A Promising Start Cut Short

Despite the disadvantage, Hadjar made rapid progress. He overtook several cars in the opening laps, including Lindblad, whom he passed within three laps of leaving the pitlane. 'I felt honestly awesome on those first few laps,' he said. 'It was very easy for me to overtake.' His pace suggested he could fight for points. But on lap five, approaching the Turn 14/15 chicane, he struck the wall at the apex. The impact broke his steering, and the car was propelled into the wall on the exit. Hadjar banged the steering wheel in frustration before climbing out. 'I can't really remember, because it went by very quickly,' he said. 'I just didn't see it coming, and then the car was broken.'

Self-Criticism and Regret

Hadjar did not deflect blame. 'This was a tough one, just like breaking the car is pissing me off a lot,' he told reporters. 'And also I think that was easy points, considering the car I had. So I just threw it all away.' He acknowledged a lapse in concentration: 'It just shows how much you need to be focussed, and I wasn't.' The crash ended a weekend that had already been difficult. Hadjar had failed to score points in Saturday’s sprint race after qualifying ninth for that shortened contest. He also cited a lack of straightline speed as a persistent problem. 'It was a good start,' he said. 'So yeah, now having to wait three weeks is a bit rough.'

Technical Breach and Stewards’ Ruling

The disqualification stemmed from a routine check after qualifying. The FIA technical delegate measured the floor boards and found them 2mm outside the allowed volume. The stewards’ statement noted that Red Bull representatives 'did not dispute the findings.' The breach was admitted, and the penalty was automatic under the regulations. Competitors were reminded of their right to appeal within the applicable time limits, though no appeal was indicated. As a result, every driver behind Hadjar in qualifying moved up one position. Pierre Gasly inherited ninth place, with Nico Hulkenberg joining him on the fifth row. The disqualification was widely expected once news of the infringement emerged.

Outlook: A Long Break to Reflect

Hadjar now faces a three-week gap before the next race, time he would rather spend driving. 'Honestly I'm itching to get back to it like right now,' he said. 'I wish I knew what I could have done.' The Miami weekend, which began with a promising qualifying performance, ended with zero points and a damaged car. For a driver in a top team, the margin between success and failure proved to be 2 millimetres — and a single lapse of focus.

The bottom line

• Isack Hadjar was disqualified from Miami Grand Prix qualifying because his Red Bull’s floor boards were 2mm out of tolerance.
• He started from the pitlane on hard tyres and was making rapid progress before crashing on lap five.
• Hadjar admitted he 'wasn’t focussed' and called the crash a costly mistake that threw away 'easy points'.
• The disqualification moved Pierre Gasly up to ninth, with Nico Hulkenberg joining him on the fifth row.
• Hadjar also failed to score in Saturday’s sprint race, compounding a disappointing weekend.
• The next race is in three weeks, giving Hadjar time to reflect on what he called a 'tough one'.