F1 | McLaren and Red Bull move forward: appeal against Monaco podium returned to Gasly formalized
Through an official statement, McLaren has formalized its appeal against the stewards’ decision to cancel the two penalties imposed on Pierre Gasly during the Monaco Grand Prix, which had led to his podium being reinstated. Alongside the Woking-based squad, Red Bull has followed the exact same judicial process.
On the Friday of the Barcelona weekend, five days after the conclusion of the Monaco GP, the FIA stewards returned the podium to Pierre Gasly that the French Alpine driver had captured on the streets of the Principality, before he had dropped back in the classification due to two penalties for speeding in the pit lane.
However, during the appeal lodged by the Enstone team—the only outfit to appeal initially because Gasly had not served the penalty during the race itself—FOM, which is responsible for the official timing system, highlighted a discrepancy between the actual distance and the estimated distance of the sensors used for speed detection.
This discrepancy led to an overestimation of pit lane speeds, particularly for the cars that cut the entry line more sharply and therefore covered that specific section in less time. For this reason, the stewards ultimately decided to cancel the penalties imposed on Gasly and return the podium finish he had earned on track.
Teams fear a dangerous regulatory precedent
However, while Gasly’s sanctions were quashed, other drivers had already served their respective penalties during the live grand prix. This triggered immense disbelief from teams like McLaren and Red Bull regarding the stewards’ post-race verdict, which threatens to open up a significant precedent. Both teams had voiced their intention to appeal after the verdict, giving them a 96-hour window to either confirm or drop their legal position.
It is not the first time that teams have notified the governing body of their intent to appeal, utilizing the 96 hours at their disposal to calmly evaluate their options before ultimately deciding to back down. In this instance, however, both McLaren—who served a similar penalty in-race with Oscar Piastri—and Red Bull—who lost a maiden podium with senior team rookie Isack Hadjar—have chosen to proceed with the litigation, formalizing their appeal against the third-place finish returned to Gasly.
“McLaren Racing can confirm it has formally submitted a notice of appeal to the FIA International Court of Appeal in respect of the following decisions relating to the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix: Stewards’ Document 99; Document 100 of the Revised Final Race Classification; Document 101 of the Revised Championship Points,” McLaren stated in an official release.
“While we fully respect the FIA’s judicial processes and the role of the Stewards, we believe this case raises important questions regarding sporting fairness, regulatory consistency, and the integrity of the competition.”
“Throughout the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, and at every event, all teams operated in compliance with the regulations and standard practices established regarding the pit lane speed limit as applied at that time. Competitors adjusted their procedures accordingly and, where required, accepted and served the penalties imposed under those regulations.”
“In our view, the subsequent removal of penalties creates a situation where certain competitors are disadvantaged for having acted in accordance with the rules and the Stewards’ decisions. Such an outcome risks creating sporting disparity and undermining confidence in the consistent application of the FIA Sporting Regulations.”
“Our decision to appeal is not directed against any competitor. Rather, it reflects our belief that the Championship benefits from regulations that are applied consistently, transparently, and fairly for all participants. McLaren remains committed to working constructively with the FIA, Formula 1, and other competitors to protect the integrity of the sport and maintain trust in its regulatory framework.”
Red Bull remains silent but active behind the scenes
Red Bull has not yet gone public with an official press release, but according to information obtained by Motorsport.com, the Milton Keynes team has also decided to press ahead with the appeal. If successful, the challenge could return the Monaco podium finish to Isack Hadjar.
The core issue, however, extends far beyond the specific micro-result of the race; it centers on the risk that returning third place to the Alpine driver could create a historical precedent. This could potentially open the floodgates to an increasing number of retrospective review requests for penalties that drivers have already completely served during a grand prix.
In summary, the formal legal challenge lodged by McLaren and Red Bull over Pierre Gasly’s reinstated Monaco GP podium highlights a brewing political storm regarding sporting fairness and timing system accuracy. By taking a stand against the FIA’s post-race adjustments, both teams are seeking to protect the integrity of on-track penalties while attempting to reclaim lost accolades, such as Isack Hadjar’s lost top-three finish. As the appeal heads to the FIA International Court of Appeal, the final verdict will likely establish how the governing body handles technical discrepancies without destabilizing long-standing racing regulations.
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