Chaotic Miami GP Lap Sees Two Major Crashes

A chaotic sixth lap at the Miami Grand Prix saw two separate, dramatic crashes eliminate Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly, bringing out the Safety Car and triggering a stewards' investigation. Hadjar's Racing Bulls car was destroyed after hitting the wall, while Gasly's Alpine was flipped in a separate incident with Liam Lawson.

Why it matters:

Major crashes early in a race immediately reshape the strategy and outcome for the entire field, forcing teams to adapt under the Safety Car. Furthermore, the stewards' investigation into the Lawson-Gasly clash could result in a penalty that carries over to the next race in Canada, affecting the competitive landscape beyond Miami.

The details:

• Isack Hadjar's Crash: The Racing Bulls driver clipped the awkward chicane towards the end of the lap, which sent him hard into the wall. The impact broke the steering column on his Red Bull-powered car, forcing his immediate retirement.
• Pierre Gasly's Flip: In a separate incident at the final proper corner, Gasly was battling Liam Lawson when contact was made. The Alpine was launched into the air and flipped before coming to rest, though Gasly was thankfully able to climb out unharmed.
• The double incident led to the immediate deployment of the Safety Car, bunching up the field.
• Nico Hulkenberg also retired later in the race after his Audi sustained damage, having pitted for a new front wing at the end of the first lap.

What's next:

The focus now shifts to the stewards' room, where the incident between Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly will be reviewed. If Lawson is deemed predominantly at fault for the collision, any potential penalty would be applied at the next event, the Canadian Grand Prix. The retirements are significant blows to the points aspirations of Alpine, Racing Bulls, and Audi Sauber in a tightly contested midfield battle.