Red Bull Admits Mistake in Hadjar DSQ as Unseen Hamilton Gesture Surfaces

Red Bull has taken responsibility for the floor irregularity that led to Isack Hadjar's disqualification from Miami Grand Prix qualifying, calling the oversight "painful." Meanwhile, untelevised footage has revealed Lewis Hamilton making an obscene gesture towards Alpine's Franco Colapinto after their first-lap contact, adding a personal edge to the on-track incident. These events headline a busy post-Miami news cycle that also included high-profile paddock meetings and clear regulatory stances from the FIA.

Why it matters:

These stories collectively highlight the intense pressures and complex relationships within Formula 1. Red Bull's public admission of a technical error underscores the fine margins in compliance and the costly consequences of minor oversights. Hamilton's captured reaction, while not broadcast, offers a raw glimpse into driver frustration following race-compromising contact. Furthermore, discussions around team ownership and engineer movements signal ongoing strategic shifts beneath the surface of the championship battle.

The details:

• Hadjar's DSQ: Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies stated the team "should have spotted" that Hadjar's car floor was 2mm beyond the maximum permitted dimensions before it failed post-qualifying scrutineering. Hadjar, who started from the back due to the DSQ, later crashed out of the race.
• Hamilton's Gesture: Previously unseen footage shows Hamilton waving his middle finger at Colapinto's Alpine after their collision at Turn 11. The contact caused damage to Hamilton's Ferrari, costing him an estimated 0.5 seconds per lap, though he still finished sixth, one place ahead of Colapinto.
• Paddock Diplomacy: Mekies confirmed having a "good chat" with McLaren CEO Zak Brown in Miami, a meeting that likely helped ease tensions following McLaren's recent signing of Red Bull star engineer Gianpiero Lambiase.
• FIA's Ownership Stance: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem declared multi-team ownership is "not the right way," directly addressing speculation about Mercedes' potential interest in acquiring a stake in the Alpine team.
• Aston's Focus: Fernando Alonso reported no vibration issues in Miami but identified gearbox improvements as the "number one" priority for Aston Martin moving forward, following a double finish with both cars outside the points.

What's next:

The fallout from Miami sets the stage for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix. Teams like Red Bull will be hyper-vigilant on technical compliance, while drivers will be mindful of on-track conduct both visible and off-camera. The FIA's firm stance on ownership models may cool speculation around Alpine's investors, and Aston Martin's development focus will be tested on Montreal's challenging circuit. These behind-the-scenes narratives will continue to evolve alongside the on-track competition.