Bortoleto handed official steward verdict after Miami Sprint probe
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 21:44, 02 May
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Tobia is a Formula 1 journalist at GPblog with experience at international circuits. Since 2022, he has covered Grands Prix across Europe, delivering reliable coverage and insights from the paddock.
The stewards have decided to disqualify Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi following an investigation launched after the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race.
The Brazilian driver’s RS26 engine intake air pressure exceeded the maximum limit allowed under the rules. During the investigation, Audi representatives accepted the Technical Delegate’s findings, explaining the issue occurred for a single lap after temperatures increased more than expected.
The team stated it reacted immediately to bring the pressure back within the legal range, but the stewards underlined that the car must comply with the regulations at all times, leading to Bortoleto’s disqualification.
“The Stewards reviewed the report received from the Technical Delegate and found that the requirement was for the engine intake air pressure to be less than 4.8 barA at all times. The pressure was measured by two FIA approved devices that were installed in FIA approved locations situated in the engine intake air system downstream of the charge air cooling system.
Photo: Race Pictures
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“The Stewards heard from the team representatives of Car 5. They admitted that the Technical Delegate's finding was correct. However, in mitigation, they explained that this happened over one lap, when the temperatures rose higher than they had expected. As soon as that became apparent, they took steps to bring the pressure back in line with the regulations.
“While the fact that they took steps to bring the car back in compliance is recognized, the regulations make it clear that the car needs to be in compliance ‘at all times’, which it was not. Given that this is a technical infringement, the usual penalty of a disqualification of Car 5 from the Sprint classification was applied.”
Bortoleto suffers no real blow after Sprint disqualification
The disqualification has little impact on the Brazilian driver’s standings, however, as he finished the Sprint race in 11th place and therefore missed out on the points regardless. It was an even more disappointing Sprint for his team-mate Nico Hulkenberg, who was unable to take part in the race due to a technical issue.
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F1-stand 2026
Season
| Pos. | Driver | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | MercedesMER | 75 | |
2 | MercedesMER | 68 | |
3 | FerrariFER | 55 | |
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