Gasly Stripped of Monaco GP Podium Again After Successful Appeals by McLaren and Red Bull

Pierre Gasly of Alpine saw his third‑place finish at the June Monaco Grand Prix erased once more after the penalties originally imposed on him were reinstated following a successful appeal by both McLaren and Red Bull. The reversal means that Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar regains the podium in third place, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri moves back into fourth. Gasly is now classified seventh, with Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad occupying the fifth and sixth slots respectively. The race on 7 June was won by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finishing second.

Initially, Gasly crossed the line in third position, but two five‑second penalties for alleged pit‑lane speeding were applied after the checkered flag, dropping him down the order. The provisional finishing order after the penalties was: 1.

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) 4. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 5.

Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 6. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) 7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 8. Alex Albon (Williams) 9.

Esteban Ocon (Haas) 10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) Drivers shown in bold had their positions altered after the International Court of Appeal (ICA) issued its verdict on 4 September.

Five days after the race, Alpine successfully filed a right‑of‑review request, presenting new evidence that the stewards had miscalculated the distance in the pit lane. The team argued that the data demonstrated Gasly had not exceeded the speed limit, and the stewards accepted this as a "significant and relevant new element," temporarily restoring his third‑place result. However, McLaren and Red Bull appealed that reinstatement to the FIA’s International Court of Appeal.

The hearing took place in Paris on 25 August. The appeal focused on the consistency of the penalty system, noting that other drivers—Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ George Russell (whose penalty was later converted to a drive‑through), and Oscar Piastri—had also been penalised for the same alleged infraction but had already served their penalties during the race, making them irreversible. After reviewing the case, the ICA upheld the original penalties, meaning Gasly’s podium was removed once again. In a statement released by the FIA after the verdict, the governing body said it would review the methodology and operation of the current Formula 1 timing system as well as the related regulatory framework.

The FIA also pledged to examine the right‑of‑review and appeal processes to ensure fairness and transparency. The FIA emphasized its support for the stewarding system, noting that stewards operate in a different environment from the Court, which has access to extensive legal counsel, arguments, and evidence. The organization highlighted that stewards continually review their procedures and undergo professional development, and that every ICA decision is scrutinised to promote continuous improvement.

Alpine issued a statement expressing disappointment and frustration with the ICA’s ruling. The team reiterated its belief that Gasly had not broken the pit‑lane speed limit at any point during the race, but acknowledged the Court’s decision.

Alpine stressed that, despite the setback, the team remains focused on improving performance and staying competitive in the championship battle. The outcome also impacted the Constructors' Championship. Alpine, which had been only three points behind Racing Bulls for fifth place, now finds itself 16 points adrift after losing the three points associated with the podium finish. Conversely, Red Bull welcomed the reinstatement of Hadjar’s podium, noting that both the team and driver gain an additional three points, marking Hadjar’s first podium for Red Bull.

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies commented on the broader significance of the decision: "It’s important for Isack, but it’s also important for the sport. We don’t want to finish a race and then spend the next days questioning whether the speed‑limit check was correct. Consistency is essential for everyone competing under the same rules." The controversy underscores the challenges of enforcing pit‑lane speed limits in Monaco, a circuit where the narrow, twisty layout makes precise speed control critical.

Several drivers were found to have exceeded the limit; some served penalties during the race, while others, like Gasly, initially escaped detection due to timing inaccuracies. The FIA’s review of the timing system aims to reduce such discrepancies in the future. Looking ahead, Formula 1 moves to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s home race, where the championship narrative will continue to evolve.

Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available through NOW without a long‑term contract. The ongoing debate over penalty consistency and the appeal process is likely to remain a focal point as teams and drivers strive for clarity and fairness in a sport where fractions of a second can decide outcomes.