The Red Bull Formula 1 team is deliberating whether to appeal the FIA’s decision regarding Pierre Gasly’s third-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix, according to CR Today. The team has not yet returned Gasly’s trophy, following a review that reinstated him after a timing error penalized him unjustly.
What happened
During the Barcelona Grand Prix weekend, a successful review hearing led to Alpine’s Pierre Gasly being reinstated to his third-place position from the Monaco Grand Prix, pushing Isack Hadjar of Red Bull down one spot. The FIA stewards rescinded a double penalty imposed on Gasly after Alpine convincingly demonstrated that a timing error invalidated the penalties for speeding.[2]
The root of the issue stemmed from discrepancies in the measurement of pit lane speed. Alpine argued that the Formula One Management’s stated distance did not match the actual pit lane length, allowing Gasly to prove he had not exceeded the speed limit. Red Bull, meanwhile, is weighing an appeal, motivated by principles regarding the measurement systems used during races.[3]
“We think it’s more so a matter of principle for the good of the sport,” said Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies. “No measurement system is perfect on Earth.”
Why it matters
The unfolding situation may have wider implications in Formula 1, as it concerns the reliability of speed measurements that can affect race outcomes. Teams affected by similar speeding offenses expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, emphasizing the potential for unfair advantages in future races.
Both Red Bull and McLaren have filed intentions to appeal, with Mercedes also joining the conversation. This presents a complex landscape regarding the authority of race stewards and their decisions, impacting how teams and drivers are treated under similar circumstances.
Background
On May 27, 2026, during the Monaco Grand Prix, Gasly finished third but faced penalties which initially stripped him of that position. However, after Alpine’s successful argument, the FIA reversed the penalties in a ruling announced on June 2, 2026, providing a renewed podium finish for Gasly.[1]
As the situation progressed, other teams expressed intentions to appeal the ruling, leading to a gathering of disagreements among stakeholders within the sport.
What’s next
Red Bull and McLaren have until the morning of June 6, 2026, to finalize their appeals against the FIA’s decision regarding the speeding penalties and the resulting podium changes. Meanwhile, Mercedes is pursuing a right of review to contest the amended race classification that reinstates Gasly.
