(Motorsport-Total.com) – The International Court of Appeal (ICA) of the FIA, the world governing body of motorsport, has made a decision in the dispute over Alpine driver Pierre Gasly’s Monaco podium: The two penalties against the Frenchman, which were initially withdrawn after an appeal by Alpine, will now remain in place!
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This means Gasly drops again from third to seventh place and loses his podium position, which is now awarded to Isack Hadjar (Red Bull). Both Red Bull and McLaren had protested against the withdrawal of Gasly’s penalty – and in the appeal hearing they were actually proven right.
Gasly was one of several drivers penalized for speeding in the pit lane at the Monaco Grand Prix three months ago. However, after the race, it turned out that the Formula One Management (FOM), the official timekeeper of Formula 1, had made a measurement error.
Because the speed in the pit lane is not measured by a classic radar trap, but by timing loops in the asphalt. However, there was a deviation of 77 centimeters between the first two timing loops – an error that ultimately led to the unusually high number of penalties.
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While Piastri and Russell lost positions because they had to serve their penalties during the race (in Russell’s case the penalty was served incorrectly, resulting in a drive-through penalty for the Mercedes driver), Gasly’s two five-second penalties were added to his race time. This caused him to drop from third to seventh place.
Alpine was able to request a review and initially won before the next race in Barcelona: The penalties against Gasly were withdrawn and the Frenchman regained his third place. As a result, Hadjar and Piastri each dropped back one position.
Both teams therefore appealed the decision, supported by Racing Bulls, after Arvid Lindblad and Liam Lawson also lost a place each. The Court of Appeal decided on Friday that the penalties against Gasly will now remain in place. He thus falls back to seventh place again.
This is the official reasoning of the Court of Appeal
The most important part of the court’s reasoning was that Alpine could not prove with complete certainty that Gasly had traveled a longer distance in the pit lane than the (inaccurately) measured distance. The shorter time between the timing loops could therefore be due to “a shorter path, a higher speed, or a combination of both.”
However, the International Court of Appeal (ICA) confirmed that the fact that other drivers had already served their penalties “cannot be an obstacle to the annulment of an unlawful sanction, as these penalties were served at the discretion and decision of the team.”
“Allowing the opposite on the grounds that this would create a sporting injustice would, in turn, be incompatible with sporting fairness.”
This is how Alpine reacts to the appeal decision
Alpine has already responded to the current ruling and evaluated the decision in strong terms. The team continues to maintain that Gasly did nothing wrong and therefore did not deserve any penalties.
“The team expresses its disappointment and frustration with the outcome reached by the FIA International Court of Appeal regarding the result of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix,” said a statement from the team.
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“Although we disagree with the decision and continue to fully believe that car number 10 did not exceed the speed limit in the pit lane at any time during the race, the team acknowledges the decision of the judicial panel from the recent hearing in Paris.”
“Although the result is not what we hoped for, as we believe we were unfairly penalized, the team remains fully focused on improving its performance on track and remains in a close and highly competitive championship battle.”
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“This result will not deter the team’s efforts and motivation to achieve its goals until the end of the season.”
“Neither good for Formula 1 nor for the spectator”
The current decision of the Court of Appeal is also causing discussions in the paddock at Monza. “This is always difficult for Formula 1,” says Sky expert Ralf Schumacher. Because the possible shortcut in the Monaco pit lane has been known for years. “We have always done that too.”
“That means, from my point of view, it should not have been penalized,” says the former Formula 1 driver. “Then you just have to design the pit lane differently or calculate it differently. But honestly, that’s really nonsense.”
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“I thought it was great that they admitted it and took the penalties away and he then got his trophy. But now in and out of the potatoes – I don’t know, neither good for Formula 1 nor for the spectator. I don’t know what this is all about.”
However, Schumacher admits that the Court of Appeal had to reconsider and make a decision after the protest from McLaren and Red Bull. “Yes, that’s how it is, you have to accept it, but it’s not good for the sport.”
World governing body wants to “review methodology and timing system”
The FIA meanwhile emphasizes in a statement that their stewards are not necessarily responsible for making a wrong decision, although the federation has promised to review its procedures.
“The FIA acknowledges today’s decision of the International Court of Appeal (ICA) in connection with the hearing on Tuesday, August 25 (case ICA-2026-06-07-08-09),” the statement said.
“The ICA decision upholds the appeals of the McLaren F1 Team and Red Bull Racing against the stewards’ decisions in document 99 of the Monaco Grand Prix and thus effectively overturns these decisions.”
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“The FIA is reviewing the methodology and operation of the current Formula 1 timing system as well as the associated regulatory matters. It will also review further judicial procedures and processes, including the right to review and appeal procedures.”
“The FIA fully supports the stewards’ process as well as the independence and objectivity of the various steward panels, which are an integral part of global motorsport.”
“The stewards’ decisions are made in a different environment than those of the court, while the court has access to extensive additional legal advice as well as arguments and evidence.”
“The FIA stewards continuously review their procedures and participate in extensive training. Every ICA decision is carefully examined by the FIA stewards to ensure a process of continuous improvement.”
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