Red Bull's Hadjar disqualified, reshuffling Miami GP grid

Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar has been disqualified from qualifying for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix due to a technical infraction, dropping him from ninth to the back of the grid and promoting all drivers behind him. The penalty elevates Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli to pole position for what is forecast to be a wet and chaotic race, with Max Verstappen joining him on the front row.

Why it matters:

A last-minute grid penalty dramatically alters the strategic landscape for a race already facing major weather uncertainty. For Hadjar and Red Bull, it's a significant setback, erasing a strong qualifying performance. For the entire midfield, the ripple effect of moving up one position could be crucial in a race where track position and staying out of trouble will be paramount.

The details:

• The Offense: Isack Hadjar's Red Bull was found to be in breach of the technical regulations following post-qualifying checks. The exact nature of the infraction was not specified in the initial report.
• Grid Impact: Hadjar's disqualification moves him from P9 to P22 (last). Every driver who qualified from P10 onward moves up one position on the starting grid.
• New Front Rows: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) will start from pole position with Max Verstappen (Red Bull) alongside.
  • Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Sprint winner Lando Norris (McLaren) form the second row.
• Weather Wildcard: Forecasts predict rain and potential storm conditions, making the race highly unpredictable. A wet start could neutralize some of the grid-order advantage and lead to immediate chaos.

What's next:

The focus shifts entirely to the Grand Prix itself, with the new grid order setting the stage for a potentially explosive start. All eyes will be on pole-sitter Antonelli's ability to handle the pressure and weather, while Verstappen and the chasing pack will look for any opportunity. The revised grid, especially the promoted midfield drivers, will be hoping the weather creates opportunities to gain further places when the lights go out.

Provisional Starting Grid for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix:

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
5. George Russell (Mercedes)
6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
11. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
12. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
14. Esteban Ocon (Haas)
15. Alex Albon (Williams)
16. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
18. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
19. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
20. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
21. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
22. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)