Story perspectives

Hadjar Disqualified for Floor Breach, Starts Miami GP Pit Lane

5/4/2026

Summary

Hadjar Disqualified

Isack Hadjar was disqualified from Miami Grand Prix qualifying after his RB22 floor protruded 2 mm beyond the allowed dimensions.
FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported the breach and sent it to the stewards.
The stewards applied the standard penalty, forcing Hadjar to start the race from the pit lane.
Red Bull fitted a new floor for the Miami upgrade.

Summary

Hadjar Starts

The stewards found a floor-board breach during the mandatory post-qualifying inspection.
Teams may appeal the disqualification under Article 15 of FIA International Sporting Code.
Max Verstappen’s car passed inspection and will start second behind Kimi Antonelli.
Hadjar was allowed to start from pit lane using his practice times despite the qualifying ban.
The Miami Grand Prix start moved to 19:00 PM Paris time on Sunday, with stewards’ decision independent of the FIA.

History

Historical Context

After the 1994 San Marino tragedy, the FIA fined Benetton $100,000 for withholding engine-management code, leading to tighter technical scrutiny of car floors. In 2024, FIA auditor Jo Bauer found Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar with a floor breach at Miami qualifying, forcing a pit-lane start and showing the lasting influence of the 1994 enforcement.

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Hadjar Disqualified

Isack Hadjar was disqualified from Miami Grand Prix qualifying after his RB22 floor protruded 2 mm beyond the allowed dimensions.
FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer reported the breach and sent it to the stewards.
The stewards applied the standard penalty, forcing Hadjar to start the race from the pit lane.
Red Bull fitted a new floor for the Miami upgrade.

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