Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto has been disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix Sprint after the FIA found a technical breach on his car during post-race checks.
The Brazilian rookie had finished 11th on the road in Saturday’s Sprint, missing out on points. But during routine scrutineering, FIA technical delegates discovered that the engine intake air pressure on his car exceeded the maximum allowed limit of 4.8 barA.
F1 regulations state that intake air pressure must remain below 4.8 barA at all times. The breach was detected by two FIA-approved sensors positioned in the engine intake system, downstream of the charge air cooling system.
The stewards reviewed the report and met with Audi representatives. The team admitted the finding was accurate. In their defense, Audi explained that the pressure spike happened on a single lap when engine temperatures rose higher than expected. They said corrective action was taken immediately to bring the pressure back within the legal range once the issue was identified.
While the stewards acknowledged Audi’s response, they stressed that the rules require compliance “at all times.” Because the car operated outside the permitted parameters, even briefly, the standard penalty applies.
“Given that this is a technical infringement, the usual penalty of a disqualification of Car 5 from the Sprint classification was applied,” the FIA verdict read.
*Tough Day for Audi*
The disqualification rounded off a poor Sprint for Audi. Nico Hulkenberg failed to start the race after his car suffered a fiery failure on the out-lap to the grid. With Bortoleto now disqualified, Audi scored no points and had both cars classified as DNF or DSQ.
It was a frustrating result after a promising Friday. Both Audi drivers reached SQ2 in Sprint Qualifying, with Bortoleto lining up 11th and Hulkenberg 12th. The team had hoped to fight for points in the Sprint but leaves empty-handed.
*FIA Stands Firm on Technical Rules*
The incident highlights how strict F1’s technical policing is. The intake pressure rule exists to stop teams gaining a power advantage from higher boost levels. Even if a breach is accidental or short-lived, disqualification is the usual outcome.
Audi’s explanation of unexpected temperature rises didn’t change the penalty. The stewards made clear that teams must ensure their cars stay within the rules for the entire session.
Bortoleto’s disqualification moves up all drivers who finished behind him, though only the top eight score points in the Sprint. For the rookie, it’s a harsh lesson in his debut season.
Audi will now reset for qualifying and Sunday’s Grand Prix, aiming to recover from a Sprint to forget. For the FIA, it’s another reminder that technical compliance is non-negotiable in Formula 1.