The FIA has released the official list of deleted lap times following the intense Miami Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen and Lando Norris faced penalties that altered their race results. The sixth round of the 2025 Formula 1 season took place at the Miami International Autodrome, with Verstappen starting from pole position but losing the lead to Norris on lap 14 of the 57-lap race. Despite their fierce battle, it was Oscar Piastri who ultimately claimed victory, extending his lead in the drivers‘ championship.
The race director reported several incidents involving drivers exceeding track limits at critical turns, prompting the stewards to review lap times closely. Verstappen and Norris were among four drivers penalized with lap deletions after breaching track boundaries at different corners. This strict enforcement came after McLaren demonstrated a clear speed advantage during the race, securing a one-two finish with Norris second and Piastri in first place.
Specifically, Lando Norris had his lap time of 1:34.855 deleted due to exceeding track limits at Turn 11, while Max Verstappen had his closely matched time of 1:34.857 scrapped for the same infraction. Williams driver Carlos Sainz lost his lap for exceeding limits at Turn 15, and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto’s time was deleted at Turn 6 before he retired from the race with a suspected engine failure. The stewards‘ review underscores the heightened scrutiny on drivers’ adherence to track regulations affecting race outcomes.
Following the penalties, Max Verstappen finished in fourth place, marking a rare setback for the reigning Formula 1 champion who had been a strong contender throughout the season. The deleted lap rulings significantly impacted Verstappen’s standing in Miami, as both McLaren drivers showcased their pace advantage and capitalized on Red Bull’s challenges. Verstappen acknowledged the difficulty, stating,
The race was tough, and the lap deletion was disappointing, but we will regroup and push harder at the next race.
This ruling by the FIA highlights the increasing emphasis on maintaining track limits to ensure fairness and safety in Formula 1 racing. The penalties not only reshuffled the finishing order at Miami but also have broader implications for the championship battle, intensifying competition among top drivers like Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri. Moving forward, teams and drivers will need to carefully balance aggression and control, mindful that even minor track infringements can carry significant consequences.
