Miami GP: Leclerc's Late Spin Costs Podium; Hadjar Disqualified

Leclerc's Costly Error Derails Ferrari Podium Bid

The Miami Grand Prix delivered a dramatic conclusion as Charles Leclerc surrendered a podium finish on the final lap after an error of judgment. According to ESPN F1, Leclerc took full blame for the mistake which saw him "put a very strong race in the bin" after dropping from third to sixth position. Motorsport.com reported that the Ferrari driver had just lost third place to McLaren's Oscar Piastri when he attempted to overtake the Australian, but spun out while pushing to make the move. While avoiding a massive crash, he did clip the wall and lose further positions.

Leclerc's assessment of his performance was unsparing. According to Crash.net, the Monegasque driver scolded his "very poor decision," while GPFans quoted him as saying the error was "all on me." ESPN F1 captured his broader reflection on the race, with Leclerc stating he had "put a very strong race in the bin." According to RacingNews365, Leclerc's late-race spin came as he was attempting an overtake that ultimately proved unacceptable in its execution.

Red Bull Qualifying Chaos: Hadjar Disqualified, Pit Lane Start

Isack Hadjar's Miami weekend was derailed before the race even started following a qualifying disqualification. According to GPFans, the FIA confirmed that the Red Bull driver was disqualified from qualifying and would start the Miami Grand Prix from the pit lane. The disqualification announcement came on May 3rd, with RacingNews365 documenting the adjusted starting grid following the late penalty.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies issued an apology to Hadjar following the disqualification, according to GPFans. The decision proved costly for the Austrian team's Miami campaign, with the pit lane start effectively removing one of the team's competitive assets from contention in the early race phases.

Broader Context: Miami Madness

The Miami Grand Prix was marked by high drama throughout. According to Sky Sports F1, drivers including Oscar Piastri, Kimi Antonelli, and Lando Norris shared reactions to the weekend's chaotic highlights. BBC Sport F1 noted that Antonelli put in a strong performance, with the Mercedes driver rated favorably in post-race driver assessments.