Mercedes backs down: political defeat for Toto Wolff. Mercedes drops Monaco GP appeal in setback for Toto Wolff.

Mercedes backs down: political defeat for Toto Wolff

The Brackley-based team will not continue its fight with the FIA to have George Russell’s position in relation to the Monaco Grand Prix reinstated.

Mercedes has decided to withdraw its petition for a right of review concerning the outcome of the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. The team had been scheduled to appear before FIA stewards on Saturday to discuss its dissatisfaction with the reinstatement of Pierre Gasly to third place in the final race classification.

The background to the controversy

George Russell’s race had been compromised by a speeding infringement, which triggered a chain of events that ultimately resulted in a drive-through penalty. This happened because an initial five-second penalty had not been served correctly.

Mercedes believed it was necessary to obtain substantial clarification regarding why the post-race penalties imposed on Gasly had been cancelled, while numerous other penalties handed to drivers during the race had been applied as normal. Alpine, however, successfully argued that its driver had never exceeded the speed limits during the race, making the subsequent penalties unjustified.

Speaking about the original decision to proceed with the challenge, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “We requested a right of review because you simply want to have a seat at the table when decisions are being made.”

However, even at the time the request was submitted, as we had previously highlighted, Wolff acknowledged the slim chances of success, stating: “I still think it is a difficult attempt.”

The withdrawal of the petition

Less than 48 hours before the scheduled hearing, during which Mercedes would have been required to present a significant and relevant new element, the team chose to withdraw its petition.

A brief FIA statement released on Thursday evening confirmed that the matter had been closed: “The stewards have been informed by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team that they are withdrawing the petition for review regarding the stewards’ decisions from the Monaco Grand Prix, breach of Article B1.6.3a of the FIA Formula 1 Regulations in relation to car 63.”

While Mercedes has decided not to pursue any further action, McLaren and Red Bull have chosen to continue with the case by taking the matter to the FIA International Court of Appeal.