Isack Hadjar Disqualified From Miami GP Qualifying After Floor Breach

Key facts

• Isack Hadjar disqualified from Miami Grand Prix qualifying after floor board found protruding 2mm beyond allowed volume.
• FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer referred the matter to stewards under Article C3.5.5 of F1 Technical Regulations.
• Hadjar qualified ninth, 0.825s behind teammate Max Verstappen, who took second on the grid.
• Verstappen qualified second behind polesitter Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
• Hadjar used Red Bull's full upgrade package, same as Verstappen, including revised front floor.
• Sunday's race start moved from 4pm to 1pm local time due to threat of thunderstorms.
• Hadjar will start from pit lane after disqualification.

A 2mm Infraction Derails Red Bull's Miami Weekend

Isack Hadjar has been disqualified from the qualifying classification for the Miami Grand Prix after post-session scrutineering revealed that the floor board on his RB22 protruded two millimetres beyond the permitted reference volume. The infringement, detected on both the left and right sides of the car, constitutes a clear breach of Article C3.5.5 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations. The disqualification strips Hadjar of the ninth-place starting position he earned on Saturday and forces him to start Sunday's race from the pit lane. The penalty is automatic for technical infringements, which are treated as strict liability regardless of cause.

The Technical Breach and FIA's Stance

FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer formally referred the matter to the stewards after the standard legality volume checks. In his report, Bauer stated: 'After the Qualifying, legality volumes were checked on car number 06. The lhs [left-hand side] and rhs [right-hand side] floor board were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD. As this is not in compliance with Article C3.5.5 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulation, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.' Such breaches are considered black-and-white in Formula 1, leaving the stewards little discretion. The disqualification was confirmed shortly after the summons, which had been scheduled for 7am Sunday morning local time.

Hadjar's Struggles and Verstappen's Dominance

Hadjar had already endured a difficult qualifying session, managing only ninth place while teammate Max Verstappen challenged for pole and ultimately secured second behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 0.825-second gap between the two Red Bull drivers underscored Hadjar's ongoing adaptation challenges with the upgraded RB23. Speaking before the disqualification was announced, Hadjar described the car as 'very hard to drive but very fast,' adding that he 'couldn't put it all together' in Q3. He also cited an unspecified straight-line speed deficit that compounded his difficulties.

The Upgrade Package and Track Conditions

Hadjar was using Red Bull's full aerodynamic upgrade package, identical to Verstappen's, which included revisions to the front of the floor. The team brought the upgrades to Florida hoping to capitalise on an upturn in performance, but the low-grip conditions at the Miami International Autodrome proved challenging. 'The car was very hard to drive, it was very fast,' Hadjar said. 'I think it's a very tricky track, very low grip with high track temperature. So nothing to do with what we had in the first three rounds. It's not a very fluid racing track with good grip. It's completely different and Max is very good at adapting to these conditions.'

A Costly Error for Red Bull's Rookie

The disqualification is a significant blow for Hadjar, who had been showing incremental progress through the weekend. He noted that he had made 'big, big progress' in corners compared to the previous day, but was unable to 'tidy up like [Verstappen] did.' The straight-line speed problem, which he described as missing 'on every straight,' compounded his inability to extract the full potential from the car. For Red Bull, the incident adds frustration to a weekend that otherwise saw Verstappen deliver a front-row qualifying performance. The team will now have to manage Hadjar's pit-lane start strategy, hoping to salvage points from a compromised position.

Weather Threat Looms Over Sunday's Race

Adding another layer of uncertainty, the start time for Sunday's Grand Prix has been brought forward from 4pm to 1pm local time due to the threat of thunderstorms. The schedule change aims to avoid the worst of the expected weather, which could further complicate race strategies for all teams, including Red Bull's efforts to recover from Hadjar's disqualification. The earlier start may also affect track conditions, potentially reducing the low-grip issues that plagued drivers during qualifying. However, for Hadjar, the focus will be on executing a clean race from the pit lane and minimising further damage to his championship standing.

Outlook: Learning Curve Continues for Hadjar

Hadjar's Miami weekend underscores the steep learning curve faced by rookie drivers adapting to new machinery and challenging circuits. While the floor breach is a technical infraction with no suggestion of intent, it highlights the fine margins in Formula 1 where even a 2mm deviation carries severe consequences. As Red Bull regroups, the team will analyse whether the infringement stemmed from a manufacturing tolerance, setup error, or damage sustained during the session. For now, Hadjar must channel his evident pace into a strong recovery drive from the back of the grid, knowing that every race is an opportunity to close the gap to his four-time world champion teammate.

The bottom line

• Isack Hadjar disqualified from Miami GP qualifying after floor board found 2mm out of tolerance on both sides.
• FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer cited Article C3.5.5; disqualification is automatic for such breaches.
• Hadjar qualified ninth, 0.825s behind teammate Max Verstappen, who qualified second behind polesitter Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
• Hadjar used the same upgraded RB23 as Verstappen but struggled with low grip and straight-line speed.
• Sunday's race start moved from 4pm to 1pm local time due to thunderstorm threat.
• Hadjar will start from pit lane; Red Bull faces a strategic challenge to salvage points.