Alpine Formula 1 driver Pierre Gasly has lost his Monaco Grand Prix podium after all, as his pitlane speeding penalties stand, the FIA’s International Court of Appeals (ICA) has ruled. Gasly was one of several drivers who were pinged for speeding in the pitlane during the race in the principality, but it turned out that the pitlane measurements were inaccurate, with a discrepancy of 77cm between the first two timing loops, hence the unusual number of penalties. While the likes of Oscar Piastri and George Russell lost by serving their in-race penalties (in Russell’s case, incorrectly served, with the Mercedes driver consequently incurring a drive-through penalty), Gasly’s five-second penalties were added to his race time, dropping him from third to seventh. The timing allowed Alpine to request a right of review. The FIA stewards subsequently overturned the sanctions on June 12, meaning Gasly was reinstated to third position. But this was not an option for the drivers who served their penalties during the race. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and McLaren’s Piastri lost, dropping from third and fourth to fourth and fifth. Both teams therefore appealed the decision to the ICA; The move was supported by Racing Bulls, whose drivers lost a place in the standings, and Motorsport UK. The court ruled on Friday that the sanctions do stand, so Gasly drops back to seventh place, and his compatriot Hadjar inherited the third place that the Red Bull driver celebrated after the race. Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing Photo by: Erik Junius Part of the ICA’s reasoning was that Alpine couldn’t prove with complete certainty that Gasly had covered a longer distance in the pitlane than was (inaccurately) measured, so his shorter time between timing loops could reflect “a shorter path, higher speed, or a combination of both.” However, the ICA confirmed that the fact that other drivers have served their sanctions “cannot be an obstacle to the cancellation of an illegitimate sanction, because those sanctions were served at the discretion and choice of the team. To admit otherwise on the basis that it would create sporting injustice would, in return, be inconsistent with sporting justice.” Alpine has expressed “disappointment and frustration” with the decision, and still insists Gasly did nothing wrong and did not deserve any sanctions. “The team expresses its disappointment and frustration with the outcome reached by the FIA International Court of Appeal in relation to the outcome of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix,” read a team statement. “While we do not agree with the decision, and still fully maintain that the number 10 car did not exceed the Pit Lane speed limit at any time during the race, the team recognizes the decision of the panel of judges from the recent hearing in Paris. While the result is not what we expected, as we feel we have been unfairly punished, the team is firmly focused on continuing to improve its performance on the track and remains in a close and very competitive fight for the championship. Pierre Gasly, Alpine Photo by: Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images “This result will not deter the team’s efforts and motivation to achieve its goals at the end of the season.” Meanwhile, a statement from the FIA insisted that its stewards were not necessarily guilty of making the wrong decision, although the federation committed to reviewing its processes. ICA-2026-06-07-08-09),” the statement reads. “The ICA decision confirms the appeals by McLaren F1 Team and Red Bull Racing against the stewards’ decisions contained in document 99 of the Monaco Grand Prix, effectively annulling those decisions. “The FIA is reviewing the methodology and operation of the current Formula 1 timing system and related regulatory issues. It will also review other judicial procedures and operations, including the right of review and appeal processes. “The FIA fully supports the stewards process and the independence and objectivity of the various stewards panels that are an integral part of world motorsport. A huge FIA flag flies on the grid Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images “Stewards’ decisions are made in a different environment to the Court, while the Court has access to extensive and additional legal advice input, arguments and evidence. “FIA stewards constantly review their processes and engage in extensive professional development. Every ICA decision is carefully scrutinized by the FIA stewards, ensuring a process of continuous improvement.” Photos from the F1 Italian GP – Friday Also read: We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motorsport.com? Take our 5-minute survey. – The Motorsport.com team
