Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar has been disqualified from Miami Grand Prix qualifying after the FIA found an illegal part on his car, dropping him to the back of the grid for Sunday’s race.
The 21-year-old had qualified ninth at the Miami International Autodrome, but post-session checks revealed a breach of the technical regulations. FIA scrutineers discovered that the floor boards on his RB22 were 2mm outside the legal reference volume on both sides, violating Article C3.5.5 of the F1 Technical Regulations.
FIA Technical Director Jo Bauer referred the issue to the stewards. Red Bull did not challenge the findings when summoned to the hearing. The stewards confirmed the floor protruded 2mm beyond the allowed RV-FLOOR BOARD volume on the left and right-hand sides.
Because it’s a technical infringement, the standard penalty is disqualification from the session. The FIA announced Hadjar’s P9 result has been cancelled. He has been given permission to race, but will now start 22nd and last on the grid for the 57-lap Grand Prix.
The breach relates to a key aerodynamic area. Even a 2mm extension can provide a performance gain, and the rules on floor dimensions are strictly enforced. The regulations state all parts must remain within the reference volume at all times.
The disqualification adds to a dramatic Miami weekend. The sprint format has already seen Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto disqualified from the Sprint for an engine breach. Sunday’s race has also been brought forward three hours to 1pm ET, 6pm BST, due to weather concerns.
For Hadjar, it’s a major setback. He had delivered a strong lap to take ninth and was in a good position to fight for points. Starting last on a street track where passing is tough makes his race much harder.
Everyone behind him moves up one grid spot. At the front, Kimi Antonelli remains on pole for Mercedes, with Hadjar’s teammate Max Verstappen second.
Red Bull now has a split strategy, with one car at the front and one at the back. Hadjar faces a recovery drive if he wants to salvage points from what had been a promising weekend.