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

Pierre Gasly of Alpine saw his third‑place finish from the Monaco Grand Prix in June revoked once more after the penalties originally imposed on him were reinstated following a successful appeal by McLaren and Red Bull. The appeal decision reshuffled the top ten, promoting Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar back onto the podium in third place, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri moved up to fourth.

Gasly, meanwhile, was demoted to seventh, with Racing Bulls teammates Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad occupying fifth and sixth positions respectively. The race on June 7 had been won by Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finishing second.

Gasly had crossed the line in third place on the track, but two five‑second penalties for alleged pit‑lane speeding were applied after the checkered flag, dropping him down the order. The provisional classification read as follows: 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) The bolded drivers in the original list indicate those whose positions changed after the International Court of Appeal (ICA) ruling on September 4. Initially, Alpine secured a right‑to‑review victory five days after the race, presenting new evidence that the stewards had miscalculated the distance in the pit lane.

This evidence suggested that Gasly had not actually exceeded the speed limit, leading the stewards to restore his third‑place result. However, McLaren and Red Bull lodged an appeal against Alpine’s reinstatement, bringing the case before the FIA’s International Court of Appeal in Paris on August 25.

Their argument centered on the consistency of penalty enforcement, noting that other drivers—including Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ George Russell (whose penalty was later converted into a drive‑through), and Oscar Piastri—had also been penalised for pit‑lane speeding but had already served their penalties during the race, making those sanctions irreversible. The FIA issued a statement after the Court’s verdict, indicating that it would review the timing system’s methodology and the related regulatory framework. The governing body emphasized its support for the stewarding process and the independence of the panels that oversee race incidents. It also highlighted the distinct environments in which stewards and the Court operate, noting that the Court has access to extensive legal counsel, arguments, and additional evidence that stewards may not consider during a race weekend.

Alpine responded with a statement expressing disappointment and frustration at the ICA’s decision. The team reiterated its belief that Gasly did not exceed the pit‑lane speed limit at any point during the Monaco Grand Prix, but it also acknowledged the Court’s ruling.

Alpine’s spokesperson emphasized that, despite the setback, the team remains focused on improving performance and staying competitive in the championship battle. The points implications of the decision are significant. Alpine, which had been only three points behind Racing Bulls in the fight for fifth place in the Constructors' Championship, now finds itself 16 points adrift after losing the podium points. Conversely, Red Bull welcomed the reinstatement of Hadjar, marking his first podium for the team and adding three valuable points to both his and the team’s season tallies.

Team principal Laurent Mekies commented that consistency in rule enforcement is crucial for the sport, stating, "We don’t want to race and then spend the night worrying whether the speed‑limit check was correct. A fair and transparent system is essential for everyone involved." Looking ahead, the Formula 1 calendar moves to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s home race, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1. Fans can stream the event via NOW without a long‑term contract, with the option to cancel at any time. The Monza weekend promises high‑speed action and another opportunity for drivers and teams to reshape the championship standings after the dramatic developments in Monaco.

The broader context of this appeal highlights ongoing concerns within Formula 1 about the accuracy and fairness of timing and penalty systems. The FIA’s commitment to reviewing its processes suggests that future races may see refined protocols for measuring pit‑lane speeds, potentially incorporating more advanced telemetry or real‑time verification tools.

Such changes aim to reduce ambiguity and ensure that penalties are applied consistently across the grid, preserving the integrity of competition. In summary, Pierre Gasly’s loss of the Monaco podium underscores the complex interplay between on‑track performance, regulatory oversight, and legal appeals in modern motorsport.

While Alpine continues to contest the decision, the immediate impact on the championship is clear: Red Bull gains a podium and valuable points, while Alpine slips further behind in the constructors’ race. The upcoming Monza event will be the next stage where teams can either recover lost ground or extend their leads, all under the watchful eye of an FIA determined to refine its adjudication mechanisms.