Gabriel Bortoleto was disqualified from the Miami Sprint race on May 3, 2026, after exceeding the permitted engine intake air pressure limit of 4.8 barA. The ruling emphasizes the strict compliance requirements of Formula 1 regulations.
The stewards stated, “The regulations make it clear that the car needs to be in compliance ‘at all times’, which it was not.” Bortoleto finished 11th in the race before his disqualification.
The disqualification stemmed from a technical infringement. The breach occurred during a single lap when temperatures rose higher than expected. Bortoleto’s team admitted that the Technical Delegate’s finding was correct.
Bortoleto’s Audi team faced challenges throughout the event. His rear brakes caught fire during Qualifying, forcing him to stop on track. This incident delayed their entry into Q1 as they stripped the rear axle to isolate the issue.
Bortoleto currently sits 13th in the drivers’ standings with two points. Meanwhile, his teammate Nico Hulkenberg failed to start the sprint race after his car caught fire.
As Bortoleto reflected on his performance, he remarked, “I think it was already a miracle to go to the track, but we try our best, we had problems, I had to stop the car on track and nothing I could do about it.” The team now looks ahead as they prepare for upcoming races.
