“The regulations make it clear that the car needs to be in compliance ‘at all times’, which it was not,” stated the Stewards after Gabriel Bortoleto’s disqualification from the Miami Sprint race on May 3, 2026.
Bortoleto, who finished 11th before his disqualification, faced this setback due to exceeding the permitted engine intake air pressure limit of 4.8 barA. The incident occurred during a single lap when temperatures unexpectedly rose, leading to a technical infringement.
The Audi team acknowledged the Technical Delegate’s findings as correct. They had to strip down the rear axle to isolate the issue, which delayed Bortoleto’s entry into Q1. Unfortunately, this was not the only challenge he faced; during Qualifying, his rear brakes caught fire, forcing him to stop on track.
Despite these hurdles, Bortoleto remained optimistic. “I think it was already a miracle to go to the track, but we try our best. I had problems, and nothing I could do about it,” he shared with reporters. His teammate Nico Hulkenberg also encountered difficulties—his car caught fire and he failed to start the sprint race.
Key facts:
- Bortoleto currently sits 13th in the drivers’ standings with two points.
- Nico Hulkenberg is positioned at 17th with zero points.
- The disqualification reflects the stringent nature of Formula 1’s Technical Regulations.
As Bortoleto navigates these challenges in his debut season, he will need to adapt quickly to avoid further penalties. The next expected development will come as teams prepare for upcoming races and adjustments are made based on lessons learned from this incident.
