Formula 1 confirmed the disqualification of Gabriel Bortoleto from the Miami GP Sprint. The Audi driver lost the result after a technical irregularity identified by the FIA.
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The decision directly impacts the Brazilian’s weekend, who had finished the race outside the points zone. The penalty also represents a significant setback for the team in an already complicated weekend.
According to the stewards, car number 5 exceeded the maximum allowed air pressure limit at the engine intake, set at 4.8 bar. The infraction occurred during the Sprint and constitutes a violation of the category’s technical regulations.
Audi acknowledged the irregularity during the investigation, explaining that the problem occurred in only one lap, when temperatures were above expected. The team also stated that it took immediate measures to correct the situation and return to regulatory parameters.
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Despite this, the FIA was clear in applying the penalty. The regulations require the car to be within limits “at all times,” which was not met in Bortoleto’s case.
As it is a technical infraction, the standard penalty was applied, resulting in the exclusion of the driver from the final Sprint classification. There is still the possibility of an appeal by the team, as provided in the sporting regulations.
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