Gasly Stripped of Monaco GP Podium After Successful McLaren and Red Bull Appeal

Pierre Gasly of Alpine saw his podium finish from the June Monaco Grand Prix erased once more after the penalties imposed on him during the race were reinstated following a successful appeal by McLaren and Red Bull. The reversal promotes Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar back onto the third step of the podium, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri moves up to fourth place. With the appeal decision, Gasly is now classified seventh, behind Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad who occupy fifth and sixth respectively.

The original 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 the race stewards immediately applied two five‑second penalties for alleged pit‑lane speeding, dropping him down the order after the chequered flag. The provisional finishing order after those penalties read: 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 September 4. Five days after the race, Alpine filed a right‑of‑review request, presenting new evidence that the stewards had miscalculated the distance in the pit lane. The FIA accepted this as a "significant and relevant new element" and temporarily reinstated Gasly to his original third‑place finish.

However, McLaren and Red Bull lodged an appeal against that reinstatement, taking the case to the FIA’s International Court of Appeal in Paris on 25 August. Their argument centered on the consistency of the speed‑limit enforcement, noting that other drivers—including Hamilton, Mercedes’ George Russell (whose penalty was later converted into a drive‑through) and Piastri—had also been penalised for the same alleged infraction but had already served their penalties during the race, making those sanctions irreversible. The ICA ultimately ruled in favour of the appeal, confirming the original penalties for Gasly and restoring the finishing order to reflect his demotion. In a press release after the decision, the FIA explained that it would review the timing system and related regulatory procedures, as well as the broader judicial mechanisms such as the right‑of‑review and appeal processes.

The governing body emphasized its support for the stewarding system, stating that stewards operate in a different environment from the Court, which has access to extensive legal counsel, arguments, and evidence. The FIA also highlighted its commitment to continuous improvement through regular professional development for stewards and careful examination of every ICA decision.

Alpine reacted with disappointment and frustration, issuing a statement that reiterated their belief that Gasly had not exceeded the pit‑lane speed limit at any point. The team acknowledged the ICA’s ruling but maintained that the decision was unjust. Alpine also noted that the outcome widened the gap to Racing Bulls in the Constructors’ Championship, increasing the deficit from three points to sixteen points.

Red Bull, on the other hand, welcomed the decision, celebrating Hadjar’s restored third place as his first podium for the team. Team principal Laurent Mekies praised the ruling, saying it was important not only for the driver but also for the sport’s integrity. He argued that teams should not have to question the validity of speed‑limit checks after a race, and that a consistent enforcement framework is essential for fair competition. The controversy underscores the complexities of modern Formula 1 regulation, where split‑second decisions in the pit lane can have championship‑changing consequences.

It also highlights the growing role of legal and procedural appeals in a sport traditionally decided on track performance alone. As the season progresses, teams will be watching closely how the FIA adapts its timing and penalty systems to prevent similar disputes.

Looking ahead, the Formula 1 calendar moves to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s home race, where fans can tune in via Sky Sports F1. The upcoming race promises another intense battle for points as the championship fight tightens across both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ standings.