Red Bull's Hadjar Faces Disqualification After Miami GP Qualifying

Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar is expected to be disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix qualifying results after his car failed a post-session technical inspection. The Frenchman's floor was found to extend two millimeters beyond the permitted limits on both sides, likely costing him a P9 starting position for Sunday's race, while teammate Max Verstappen retains his P2 grid slot.

Why it matters:

Technical disqualifications are a brutal but clear reminder of Formula 1's zero-tolerance approach to car legality, where even the smallest margin can erase a strong performance. For Hadjar, this is a significant setback, stripping him of a solid top-10 start and forcing a recovery drive from the back of the grid. It also shifts the competitive dynamic in the midfield before the race even begins.

The details:

• The infringement was discovered during the routine post-qualifying scrutineering, where officials found the floor on Hadjar's RB22 extended outward by 2mm more than allowed on both the left and right sides.
• Hadjar has been summoned to meet with the race stewards at 7:00 AM local time on Sunday, where the disqualification is anticipated to be formalized.
• The incident overshadows a dramatic qualifying session that saw Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli snatch a stunning pole position, with Verstappen qualifying second.
• Grid Impact: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) will now effectively start from P3 and Lando Norris (McLaren) from P4, with all drivers behind Hadjar moving up one position on the grid.
• Race Schedule Change: Separately, due to a threat of severe weather, the FIA has moved the Grand Prix start time three hours earlier to avoid potential thunderstorms.

What's next:

Hadjar will start from the pit lane or the back of the grid, turning his focus to a challenging points-scoring recovery drive. All eyes will be on the front, however, where Antonelli will aim to convert his maiden pole into a victory, fending off the experienced Verstappen. The altered race time adds another variable, with teams now recalibrating their strategies for the earlier start.