Albon Track-Limits Breach Alters Miami Sprint Qualifying Grid

During the Miami Grand Prix sprint qualifying, Williams driver Alex Albon exceeded track limits at Turn 6 on his final SQ1 lap. The breach was reported only after SQ2 began, prompting the FIA stewards to delete Albon’s SQ1 time and all SQ2 laps, dropping him from a provisional 14th-place start to 19th.

Stewards' verdict shakes up the Miami GP Sprint grid

Sprint qualifying comprises an SQ1 session, a SQ2 for the top 15, and a final shootout for the eight fastest. Any lap that breaches track limits may be deleted, and stewards can apply Article 11.7.1.a to remove a driver from the next session.

Stewards' verdict shakes up the Miami GP Sprint grid

Alex Albon (Williams), Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), the FIA stewards, and the Racing Bulls team were the central figures in the incident.

The New Zealand Herald

Albon’s penalty moved him to P19. Carlos Sainz, Arvid Lindblad, Liam Lawson, Esteban Ocon and Sergio Perez each gained one grid slot. Lawson’s starting position is reported as 17th by Auto Action and 16th by the NZ Herald. His best SQ1 lap was 1:31.043, 0.06 s short of the SQ2 cutoff.

Lawson frustrated by early Miami sprint qualifying exit

The stewards applied Article 11.7.1.a, deleting Albon’s SQ1 lap that breached limits and consequently erasing all his SQ2 times because the violation was only reported after SQ2 had started.

Stewards' verdict shakes up the Miami GP Sprint grid

Lawson said the breach was “realised too late” and expressed that he “can’t understand how that is possible,” noting that the delayed ruling left him waiting for clarification on a possible reinstatement.

Liam Lawson’s dramatic Miami Grand Prix exit sparks disqualification confusion in F1 pit lane

Lawson described his session as “a series of bad events to be honest through Q1.” He added that a misplaced garage exit and a flat-spot in Turn 1 “destroyed the tyre,” and later complained, “I can’t brake through any of the f****g corners, I’m braking so early.”

Lawson suffers SQ1 knockout amid late Albon controversy

The investigation was opened 45 minutes after qualifying ended, meaning Albon’s breach was identified after he had already completed SQ2. Additionally, sources differ on Lawson’s final grid slot (16th vs 17th), highlighting a reporting gap.

Lawson frustrated by early Miami sprint qualifying exit

• “It was a series of bad events to be honest through Q1,” — Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls driver

Lawson frustrated by early Miami sprint qualifying exit

• “Ah no, Alex [Albon] he did track limits. But I think they realised too late and because he had already gone out on track, I honestly can’t understand how that is possible,” — Liam Lawson

Lawson frustrated by early Miami sprint qualifying exit

• “I can’t brake through any of the f****g corners,” — Liam Lawson

The New Zealand Herald

• “We were waiting to hear about whether another car would be disqualified, so we were prepped in case he could go back out.” — Racing Bulls team statement

Liam Lawson’s dramatic Miami Grand Prix exit sparks disqualification confusion in F1 pit lane

• “The stewards wrote in their verdict: "During SQ1, Car 23 clearly exceeded track limits in turn 6.” — FIA stewards

Stewards' verdict shakes up the Miami GP Sprint grid

The sprint race starts at 02:00 AEST, awarding points to the top eight. Albon will line up 19th; Lawson is slated to start either 16th or 17th pending the final grid confirmation. The revised order sets up a closely contested sprint that could shape strategies for the main Grand Prix.

Liam Lawson’s dramatic Miami Grand Prix exit sparks disqualification confusion in F1 pit lane