In a shocking turn of events at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has been disqualified from the remainder of the weekend after dominating Friday’s opening practice session.
The Monegasque driver posted the fastest time of the day, lapping the Hard Rock Stadium circuit in 1:27.842, nearly three-tenths clear of Max Verstappen and his teammate Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc looked set to challenge for pole position and potentially his first victory of the season. However, post-session scrutineering delivered a bombshell.
FIA technical delegates discovered that Leclerc’s SF-26 was running an illegal floor configuration that violated the 2026 technical regulations on aerodynamic flexibility. According to the report, the floor exhibited excessive deflection under load, providing an unfair downforce advantage estimated at nearly 15 points in the aero balance.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed disappointment but stopped short of admitting fault. “We are reviewing the data internally. Charles drove an incredible lap, but if the FIA says we are non-compliant, we must accept it,” he said.
The disqualification means Leclerc will not be allowed to participate in FP2, qualifying, or the race. He has been stripped of his practice time, and Ferrari has been hit with a €50,000 fine. The team has 24 hours to appeal the decision, though insiders suggest the evidence is overwhelming.
This latest controversy adds fuel to the growing debate over the new 2026 regulations, which many drivers and engineers have criticized as overly complex and difficult to police.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who inherited the top spot after Leclerc’s exclusion, remained cautious: “It’s always disappointing when something like this happens. I hope the FIA is consistent with everyone.”
Meanwhile, social media exploded with reactions from fans. Many expressed sympathy for Leclerc, who has endured a string of bad luck since the season began, while others accused Ferrari of pushing the limits too far once again.
With Leclerc sidelined, attention now turns to Lewis Hamilton and the rest of the grid as they prepare for a crucial Saturday in Miami.