Bortoleto disqualified from Miami Sprint

Gabriel Bortoleto was disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix Sprint after FIA post-race checks found his Audi exceeded the engine intake air-pressure limit, turning his 11th-place finish into a technical exclusion.

Bortoleto had finished the 100-kilometre, 19-lap Sprint in 11th on the road, but FIA Formula 1 technical delegate Jo Bauer reported that the pressure in car No. 05 "exceeded the maximum limit of 4.8 barA". Bauer referred the case to the stewards for a breach of Article C5.3.2 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulations.

The stewards' decision confirmed the exclusion and quoted the rule at the center of the case: "Engine intake air pressure must be less than 4.8 barA at all times." The document added that the pressure is measured by two FIA-approved and sealed devices in the intake system downstream of the charge air cooling system.

According to the decision, Audi admitted Bauer's finding was correct. The team said, in mitigation, that the issue happened over one lap when temperatures rose higher than expected, and that it took steps to bring the pressure back within the regulations as soon as it became apparent.

The stewards said they recognized that effort, but ruled that the car had to be compliant "at all times" and that, because this was a technical infringement, "the usual penalty of a disqualification of Car 5 from the Sprint classification was applied."

That removed Bortoleto from the results and promoted Esteban Ocon, Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz by one place each. Bortoleto scored no championship points.

The ruling completed a disastrous Sprint for Audi. Before the start, Nico Hulkenberg failed to make the grid after a fiery failure on the reconnaissance laps left him out of the race, leaving the team with one car out before lights out and the other thrown out after the finish.