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Mercedes Seeks Right of Review Over Monaco Result After Gasly Podium Reinstatement
15 June 2026Sky SportsBreaking newsReactions

Mercedes Seeks Right of Review Over Monaco Result After Gasly Podium Reinstatement

Mercedes is challenging Monaco's results after Alpine proved faulty pit lane data invalidated Pierre Gasly's penalties. The push aims to recover George Russell's lost points and highlights growing concerns over selective penalty enforcement in Formula 1.

Mercedes has formally requested a right of review of the Monaco Grand Prix classification after Alpine overturned Pierre Gasly's pit-lane speeding penalties and reinstated him to the podium. The move has ignited a multi-team dispute, with the Silver Arrows arguing that new evidence about the pit lane's incorrect length should also invalidate George Russell's drive-through penalty.

Why it matters:

Russell plummeted from a likely podium to 12th due to a penalty tied to the same faulty data, costing Mercedes an estimated 15 championship points. More broadly, teams fear that selectively erasing one driver's sanctions while others remain penalized threatens sporting integrity and could incentivize outfits to litigate results rather than accept them on track.

The details:

  • Alpine proved Monaco's pit lane distance was measured incorrectly, leading stewards to rule the data a "significant and relevant new element" and rescind Gasly's two five-second penalties, restoring him from seventh to third.
  • Russell was among five drivers penalized but drew a drive-through after failing to serve his initial five-second stop-go correctly, dropping him from the podium fight to 12th.
  • Mercedes claims the erroneous track data is fresh evidence warranting a review of Russell's case. Toto Wolff called the bid a "long shot" but said the team must fight for George's benefit.
  • Wolff noted that converting an unserved drive-through to a standard 20-second post-race addition would place Russell fourth instead of 12th, though he conceded the argument likely would not persuade the judges.
  • McLaren and Red Bull have lodged intentions to appeal Gasly's reinstatement and face a Tuesday deadline to file officially, arguing that reversing one penalty while others stand distorts the race's competitive balance.

What's next:

The FIA must now rule on Mercedes' petition while rival teams decide whether to press ahead with formal appeals. Regardless of the outcome, the episode is fueling demands for clearer regulatory protocols when circuit errors compromise in-race penalties, with paddock observers bracing for a landmark decision before the Austrian Grand Prix.

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