The Monaco GP Podium That Keeps Changing Hands: Pierre Gasly's 2026 Third-Place Saga

Five drivers total received pit-lane speeding penalties at Monaco, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Franco Colapinto, even though subsequent investigation showed none of them had actually exceeded the 60 km/h limit . The penalties were triggered by marginal readings — several infractions were recorded at 60.1 km/h — which raised early questions about the accuracy of the speed measurement system .

Alpine’s Right of Review: Proving a 77-Centimetre Error

Alpine formally requested a Right of Review from the FIA immediately after the race, submitting new evidence that included data from Gasly’s car showing he had activated the pit-lane speed limiter before entering the pit lane . On Thursday, June 11, the FIA declared the review admissible, ruling that the evidence was both "significant" and "relevant" .

The crucial revelation came from Formula One Management (FOM), the sport’s official timekeeper. The pit-lane distance used to calculate speed was inaccurate. The measured reference distance was 77 centimeters shorter than the actual pit lane . Because speed is calculated as distance divided by time, a shorter reference distance falsely indicated higher speeds. A post-event LIDAR scan confirmed that the shortest drivable distance through Monaco’s pit lane was longer than the distance FOM had programmed into its timing loops . Gasly had not been speeding at all.

Penalties Rescinded, Podium Restored

On Friday, June 12, the FIA stewards upheld Alpine’s case and rescinded both of Gasly’s five-second penalties . Gasly was officially reinstated to third place in the race results . This pushed Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar — who had inherited P3 after the penalties were applied — back to fourth place, denying him what would have been his first F1 podium . The official stewards’ document confirmed the decision was based on FOM’s admission that "the elapsed time calculation was based on erroneous data" due to the pit-lane distance error .

The reversal was immediate, but it could not give Gasly back his moment on the podium after the race. He received the trophy days later in an unusual handover.

Mercedes Seeks, Then Withdraws, Its Review

Mercedes then filed its own Right of Review request, challenging both Gasly’s reinstatement and the penalties its own driver, George Russell, had received . The FIA set a hearing for Saturday, June 20 . But on June 20, Mercedes withdrew its request, stating that it had seen a "clear determination" from F1 and the FIA to fix the underlying timing issue going forward .

McLaren and Red Bull Appeal to the International Court of Appeal

McLaren formally lodged a notification of appeal on Tuesday, June 16, challenging the stewards’ decision to reinstate Gasly and arguing that it raised "sporting fairness" concerns . Red Bull joined McLaren on June 17, filing its own notification of appeal to the FIA International Court of Appeal — the sport’s highest court .

Both teams argue that the stewards’ decision to rescind the penalties sets a problematic precedent. They contend the process, not just the timing error, needs legal scrutiny. McLaren specifically challenged Stewards Document 99, the revised final race classification, and the updated championship standings .

The Trophy Changes Hands, but the Result Is Still Unresolved

In a symbolic development on June 25, ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar handed over the Monaco third-place trophy to Gasly . Gasly currently holds the trophy and is credited with P3 in the drivers’ standings.

But the result remains officially unresolved. The FIA International Court of Appeal has not yet heard or ruled on the McLaren and Red Bull appeals, and a resolution is expected to take "several weeks" from the date of filing . A final ruling is unlikely before late July 2026 at the earliest . The appeal process involves a 15-day window for grounds to be submitted, a 15-day response window for the FIA, and a minimum further 15-day gap before any hearing . The court is composed of 36 elected judges .

What This Means for Gasly and Alpine

For Gasly, a P3 at Monaco — one of the most prestigious races on the calendar — carries more weight with fans, sponsors, and a driver’s legacy than a third place at most other circuits . The 15 points for P3 (versus 6 points for P7) meaningfully boosts both Gasly’s drivers’ championship standing and Alpine’s constructors’ championship position .

Alpine’s successful Right of Review gives the team a significant reputational win. It demonstrated meticulous preparation and forensic evidence-gathering by proving an FOM timing error in a sport where official measurements are rarely challenged .

But the ongoing uncertainty is unusual. The trophy has physically changed hands, yet the legal outcome is still pending . If the International Court of Appeal overturns the stewards’ decision, Gasly could lose the podium for a second time — creating a scenario unprecedented in recent F1 history.