Isack Hadjar Disqualified
French Formula 1 driver Isack Hadjar, competing for the Red Bull team, has been disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix qualifying session after his car's side deflectors were found to be non-compliant with regulations. The parts were measured 2mm larger than the allowed dimensions, costing him a ninth-place starting spot. As a result, Hadjar will start the race from the very back of the grid, alongside Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi on the eleventh row. Bortoleto, a Brazilian driver, failed to outpace season underdogs from Cadillac and Aston Martin due to technical issues.
Championship Standings Leaders
As the race weekend began, the overall drivers' championship was led by Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes, who has accumulated 75 points. He is followed by fellow Mercedes driver George Russell with 68 points, and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc with 55 points. In the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, Lando Norris claimed victory, joined on the podium by McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc.
In the Constructors' Championship, Mercedes currently holds the top spot with 143 points. Ferrari trails with 98 points, while McLaren sits at 68. Both Aston Martin and Cadillac remain scoreless, as their drivers have yet to finish inside the points-paying positions.
The start of the Miami Grand Prix was postponed due to a storm. The main race was originally scheduled to begin at 23:00 Kyiv time, but organizers moved the start to 20:00. On the same day, the motorsport world also learned of the passing of former Formula 1 driver Alessandro Zanardi at the age of 59. After losing both legs, Zanardi went on to become a four-time Paralympic champion.
Isack Hadjar's disqualification underscores how crucial it is to adhere to technical regulations in Formula 1, where even minor infractions can dramatically impact a driver's race outcome.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Bortoleto's struggles with technical problems highlight the intense competition among drivers and teams, especially for those fighting to break into the points. This Miami Grand Prix also drew attention to Alessandro Zanardi's legacy, serving as a powerful reminder of his contributions to motorsport and his inspiring story of perseverance.
As the Miami Grand Prix continues to unfold, weather conditions have played a significant role, prompting a three-hour delay in the race schedule. To learn more about how the storm affected the event and the new start time, check out this article on the race delay details.