Mercedes has officially withdrawn their Right of Review request concerning the penalty imposed on George Russell during the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. This development closes the chapter on the team's challenge to the race stewards' decisions affecting their driver’s final result.
During the Monaco race, George Russell was handed a penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Subsequently, he received a drive-through penalty for not correctly serving the initial sanction, which impacted his finishing position, dropping him to 12th place after he had been in contention for a podium. Earlier in the weekend, Alpine successfully used a Right of Review to overturn a similar speeding penalty for Pierre Gasly, which reinstated Gasly’s third-place finish.
Following Alpine’s successful appeal, Mercedes lodged their own Right of Review with the FIA, seeking to contest Russell’s penalty and the resulting race classification. However, the team has now decided to withdraw this request. The official statement from Mercedes referenced a breach of Article B1.6.3a of the FIA Formula 1® Regulations related to Car 63, which is Russell’s car.
The withdrawal means that the stewards’ decisions from the Monaco Grand Prix will stand as they were initially announced. While Alpine’s appeal had set a precedent by overturning a similar penalty, Mercedes chose not to pursue their challenge further. No additional details have been provided regarding the reasons behind the withdrawal or any potential future appeals.
This outcome confirms that George Russell’s penalty and subsequent drive-through remain part of the official race results. The decision also highlights the complexities involved in applying and reviewing pit lane speeding penalties under the FIA’s regulations. The Monaco Grand Prix continues to be a venue where such regulatory nuances can significantly influence race outcomes.
With the Right of Review process concluded in this instance, attention now shifts to how teams and drivers will approach compliance with pit lane rules in future races. The FIA’s enforcement of these regulations remains a critical factor in maintaining fairness and safety during race weekends.
Mercedes’ withdrawal of their review request marks the end of this particular dispute, leaving the Monaco Grand Prix results intact and underscoring the importance of precise adherence to the FIA’s procedural requirements in Formula 1®.
