The FIA considered Alpine’s request to reassess the two 5-second penalties given to Pierre Gasly for speeding in the pit lane during the Monaco GP to be admissible. The Frenchman had crossed the finish line in third place, but dropped to seventh after the penalties.
Gasly was one of six drivers penalized for the same reason in the Monte Carlo race. Alpine argued that the FOM (Formula One Management) measurement system worked incorrectly and overestimated the driver’s speed. Data provided by the FOM this Wednesday supported the FIA’s decision to open the review.
The review hearing began immediately after the request was admissible, this Thursday (11). The result could change the final classification of the race, returning the podium to Gasly and directly affecting Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, who currently occupies third place.
Measuring system in check in Monaco pit lane
Monaco’s pit lane has specific characteristics, with curves and angles that influence the measurement by timing loops embedded in the asphalt. Several drivers, including George Russell (Mercedes), were caught for minor infractions — in some cases as little as 0.1 km/h over the 60 km/h limit.
Russell received a 5-second penalty and then a drive-through for failing to correctly serve the penalty, which took him out of the points zone. Alpine also highlighted that the FIA and FOM had prior knowledge of potential problems with the timing cycles, although the bodies have disputed this view.
The FIA’s decision to accept the review represents an acknowledgment that there may be flaws in the detection system used in the race. This sets a precedent for similar questions from other affected teams.
What changes for Gasly and the season
Regaining the podium would be a significant boost for Gasly and Alpine, who are going through a delicate moment in the 2026 season. The Frenchman initially celebrated third place on the radio, unaware of the penalties applied post-race. The end result left him visibly frustrated.
For Formula 1 as a whole, the case exposes the need for greater precision or revision in pit lane monitoring methods, especially on street circuits like Monaco, where small variations in trajectory can have major impacts on results. The hearing must define whether the punishments will be maintained or annulled before the next stage, in Barcelona.
