Isack Hadjar has learned his fate (Image: Getty)
Isack Hadjar will start the Miami Grand Prix from 22nd despite qualifying in ninth as a result of disqualification. The Red Bull star and a representative from his team were summoned for a meeting by the FIA at 12pm BST on Sunday, after a fault was found with regard to the floorboard of his car after Saturday’s qualifying round.
A statement from the FIA at the time read: “The driver and team representative are required to report to the Stewards at 07:00 on Sunday, 03 May 2026, in relation to the incident below: The Stewards From The Stewards To The Team Manager, Oracle Red Bull Racing Document 69 Date 02 May 2026 Time 20:53. No / Driver 6 – Isack Hadjar. Reason – Alleged breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations – LHS and RHS floor board were protruding out of the reference volume.”
An incident report signed by Jo Bauer, who is the FIA Formula 1 Technical Delegate, also explained: “After the Qualifying, legality volumes were checked on car number 06. The lhs and rhs floor board were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD. As this is not in compliance with Article C3.5.5 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulation, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”
Hadjar ultimately met with the stewards at midday to learn his fate, where he was handed an unfortunate DQ and forced to start the Miami Grand Prix from the back of the grid despite his respectable qualification time. A statement announcing the decision explained: “The Stewards, having received a report from the Technical Delegate (document 67), summoned the driver and team representative (document 69), heard from the team representatives and the FIA Technical Delegate, have considered the following matter and determine the following.
“No / Driver 6 – Isack Hadjar Competitor Oracle Red Bull Racing Time 20:24 Session Qualifying. Fact LHS and RHS floor board were protruding out of the reference volume. Infringement Breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations.
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Hadjar’s car was inspected after qualifying (Image: Getty)
“Decision Car 6 is disqualified from the Qualifying classifications. Reason – The Stewards heard from the team representatives of Car 6 (Isack Hadjar). They did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.
“This is a breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations and the usual consequences follow an admitted breach of the technical regulations. Competitors are reminded that they have the right to appeal certain decisions of the Stewards, in accordance with Article 15 of the FIA International Sporting Code and Chapter 5 of the FIA Judicial and Disciplinary Rules, within the applicable time limits. Decisions of the Stewards are taken independently of the FIA and are based solely on the relevant regulations, guidelines and evidence presented.”
Hadjar’s car was one of 13 inspected following qualifying. While Max Verstappen‘s car was weighed, it did not undergo the rigorous scrutineering that his Red Bull team-mate’s vehicle did.
It comes as Hadjar finished qualifying with a time of 1:28.789 to secure a ninth-place start on the grid. However, the 21-year-old will now start at the back of the pack, behind Gabriel Bortoleto, who crossed the line in qualifying in 1:33.737 with Audi.
Speaking about the error, Laurent Mekies said: “We made a mistake and we respect the decision of the Stewards. No performance advantage was intended nor gained from this error.
“We will learn from this incident and assess our processes to understand how it occurred and to take steps to ensure it cannot happen again. As a team, we apologise to Isack, and to our fans and partners. We learn the hard way today but we will move forward. Now our focus is on converting yesterday’s encouraging showing into a strong race performance this afternoon.”
The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled to take place at 6pm BST at the Miami International Autodrome, brought forward by three hours due to weather concerns. Thunder and lightning are forecast for the locality on Sunday, with the FIA outlining contingency plans should storms impact the race.