The FIA is set to hear appeals from McLaren and Red Bull Racing concerning the reinstatement of Pierre Gasly’s podium finish at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. This follows a controversial decision to overturn penalties initially applied for pitlane speeding infractions during the race.
Gasly, driving for Alpine, originally crossed the line in third place on June 7, 2026, but was demoted to seventh after receiving two five-second penalties for exceeding the 60 km/h pitlane speed limit. Alpine promptly filed a right of review, presenting evidence that Gasly had not in fact breached the speed limit. The Formula One Management (FOM) acknowledged an error in the measurement of the pitlane distance, which had led to an overestimation of his speed. As a result, the race stewards rescinded Gasly’s penalties and reinstated his third-place podium, marking his sixth career podium finish.
However, the decision has sparked further contention as other drivers, including McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell, were penalized for similar pitlane speeding violations and served their penalties during the race. Piastri publicly expressed disagreement with the stewards’ decision to reinstate Gasly’s podium, citing concerns about consistency and precedent. Russell’s situation was also affected when he received a drive-through penalty for incorrectly serving a penalty, costing him a potential podium and valuable championship points.
Following these developments, McLaren and Red Bull Racing have lodged appeals against the reinstatement of Gasly’s podium finish. Mercedes initially sought a review concerning Russell’s penalty but later withdrew their request. The FIA International Court of Appeal will conduct a closed-door hearing in Paris on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, after the Dutch Grand Prix and the summer break.
The appeal focuses on the implications of the pitlane speeding penalties and the stewards’ decision to overturn them based on the measurement error admitted by FOM. The case highlights the challenges in applying consistent rulings when technical inaccuracies affect race penalties. The outcome of the appeal remains pending, with no official decision announced at this stage.
Drivers involved in the situation include Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Isack Hadjar (Red Bull Racing), Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri (both McLaren), George Russell and Kimi Antonelli (both Mercedes). The controversy underscores the complexities of enforcing pitlane speed limits and the impact such rulings can have on race results and championship standings.
The FIA’s handling of this appeal will be closely observed, as it may influence how similar incidents are managed in the future. For now, the focus remains on the scheduled hearing and the evidence presented by the teams involved.