Pierre Gasly has lost his podium finish from the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix after the FIA International Court of Appeal reinstated his pitlane speeding penalties. This ruling overturns a previous decision by the race stewards that had cleared Gasly of the penalties and restored his third-place result.
Gasly originally received two five-second penalties for exceeding the pitlane speed limit during the Monaco race, which dropped him from third to seventh place in the final classification. However, on June 12, 2026, the FIA stewards rescinded these penalties, reinstating his podium position. Following appeals by McLaren and Red Bull Racing, supported by AlphaTauri and Motorsport UK, the FIA International Court of Appeal reviewed the case and decided to uphold the original penalties.
The court noted that Alpine, Gasly’s team, failed to demonstrate that the driver had traveled a longer pitlane distance than the official measurement. The timing discrepancy, which involved a 77cm difference in pitlane length, could have resulted from a shorter path, higher speed, or a combination of both. The ICA also clarified that penalties served during the race do not prevent the cancellation of sanctions deemed illegitimate, as serving penalties is at the discretion of the team.
As a result of the ICA ruling, Gasly’s position was adjusted back to seventh place, promoting Red Bull Racing’s Isack Hadjar to third. Other drivers, including Oscar Piastri of McLaren and George Russell of Mercedes, were also affected by pitlane speeding penalties during the race. Alpine expressed disappointment and frustration with the decision, maintaining that Gasly did not exceed the pitlane speed limit.
The FIA acknowledged the court’s ruling and announced plans to review the Formula 1® timing system and judicial procedures. This review aims to support stewarding processes and improve accuracy and fairness in future races. However, no specific details or timelines for changes to the timing system have been provided.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in accurately measuring and enforcing pitlane speed limits, especially when minor discrepancies in timing loops can have significant impacts on race results. The FIA’s commitment to reviewing these systems reflects an effort to maintain consistency and fairness in the sport’s regulatory framework.
For now, the final classification of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix stands with Gasly’s penalties reinstated, reshaping the podium and affecting the official race outcome. The situation underscores the complexities involved in race officiating and the importance of precise timing technology in Formula 1®.