On May 2, 2026, Gabriel Bortoleto was disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix sprint race due to an engine technical infringement. The incident not only dashed his hopes of a strong finish—he had crossed the line in 11th place—but also exposed ongoing struggles for his team, Audi.
Bortoleto’s disqualification stemmed from his car’s intake air pressure exceeding the maximum permitted limit of 4.8 barA. Audi acknowledged that the FIA measured this pressure above the limit but argued it occurred over just one lap, a result of unexpected temperature rises. However, the FIA stewards ruled that compliance must be maintained at all times.
After the sprint race issue, Bortoleto sat out the start of qualifying for the main event. Meanwhile, his teammate Nico Hulkenberg faced his own challenges—he did not start the sprint race due to a mechanical failure.
Key facts:
- Bortoleto finished 11th in the sprint race before his disqualification.
- The disqualification was due to engine intake air pressure exceeding 4.8 barA.
- Bortoleto’s car emitted smoke during the cooldown lap after qualifying, indicating potential brake issues.
- This marked the third time in five events that an Audi driver has failed to start due to engine problems.
Bortoleto’s car was dismantled in the Audi garage during qualifying as engineers scrambled to address lingering issues. “My brakes are on fire man,” he reportedly exclaimed after the qualifying session, reflecting his frustration with the situation.
As a result of his disqualification, Bortoleto started the main race from 22nd position. Despite these setbacks, Hulkenberg managed to qualify for the main race after repairs were made to his car, but both drivers face an uphill battle as they navigate this challenging season.
Observers are left wondering how Audi will address these persistent technical issues moving forward. With every passing event, questions about reliability and performance loom larger for a team striving to reclaim its competitive edge in Formula 1.
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