Red Bull explains Verstappen's escape from Hadjar's disqualification fate

Red Bull has clarified that a simple assembly error on Isack Hadjar's car, not a strategic setup choice, was the sole reason for his Miami GP qualifying disqualification, while Max Verstappen's identical-spec car passed inspection. Team Principal Laurent Mekies emphasized the team's significant performance step forward in Miami, cutting their qualifying deficit to pole position by more than half compared to previous rounds.

Why it matters:

The incident highlights the razor-thin margins in Formula 1 technical compliance, where a two-millimeter error can result in a back-of-grid start. It also underscores the operational precision required at the top level, as a mistake on one car does not necessarily imply an issue with its twin, preventing a potential double disqualification that would have devastated Red Bull's weekend.

The details:

• Hadjar's RB22 was found with a floor that protruded 2mm beyond the defined dimensions in the 2026 technical regulations, leading to his disqualification from qualifying.
• Mekies confirmed both drivers had the "exact same spec" car, attributing the issue on Hadjar's chassis to a mistake that was missed in routine checks.
• The error was described as "painful but easy to fix," confirming it was a matter of assembly or measurement, not a design flaw or performance-seeking setup.
• Verstappen's car, built to the same specification, complied with the regulations and thus retained its P2 starting position.

The big picture:

Beyond the disqualification drama, the Miami weekend represented a crucial step forward for Red Bull's competitive form. After qualifying 1.2 seconds off pole in Japan and 1.0 seconds off in China, the team closed the gap to just six-tenths on Friday and under two-tenths on Saturday in Miami. Mekies called this progress a "definitive step forward" and the strongest indication of improved performance this season. While not yet in contention for wins, the improved race pace suggested the team could fight for positions behind the top two, a marked improvement from earlier in the year.

What's next:

Red Bull will seek to consolidate this performance step while continuing its development race. Mekies acknowledged the team has "not cracked everything" and must continue extracting more from its current package. The focus remains on solving underlying issues and preparing for the next round of updates from rivals, with the aim of transforming this newfound competitiveness into consistent podium challenges.