Red Bull Joins McLaren in Monaco GP Appeal as Verstappen Nears Exit Clause

Red Bull has joined McLaren in appealing the decision to reinstate Pierre Gasly to third at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. The move comes as Max Verstappen drifts toward a contract exit clause at Red Bull, while Aston Martin readies a B-spec car for Zandvoort.

Why it matters:

The Monaco appeal questions regulatory consistency when every point carries enormous championship weight. Verstappen's looming free agency and Aston Martin's collapse threaten to reshape the driver market and competitive order at the season's midpoint.

The details:

• Monaco appeal: Alpine's successful Right of Review restored Gasly to the podium, prompting McLaren and Red Bull to take the case to the International Court of Appeal. Both teams argue the ruling undermines sporting fairness and risks a dangerous precedent.
• Verstappen's clause: Following Barcelona, Verstappen sits 101 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli and 60 adrift of Lewis Hamilton. With only 108 points available before summer break, he is virtually certain to fall outside the top two by Hungary, allowing him to trigger an exit clause. Red Bull is banking on a major Austrian GP upgrade to keep him in contention.
• Aston Martin's reset: Both cars retired at Barcelona, with Fernando Alonso labeling the package the worst on the grid. The team now targets the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort for an all-new challenger. Rumors linking Alonso to Alpine have surfaced, but Franco Colapinto remains the French team's preferred 2027 candidate.

What's next:

The Court of Appeal will define how review procedures are interpreted. At Red Bull, the Austria upgrade will decide whether Verstappen stays or explores alternatives. Aston Martin is betting its Zandvoort overhaul can salvage a campaign that has spun out of control.