Mercedes has confirmed it will not pursue the appeal it lodged with the FIA regarding George Russell's time penalties at the Monaco Grand Prix, stating that doing so would not serve the team or the sport. The decision comes after the Silver Arrows requested a Right of Review over a pit lane speeding penalty given to Russell during the race.
Reason for Withdrawal
In a lengthy explanation, Mercedes said that following through with the appeal "will not serve our team or the sport." The team had initially sought a review after the FIA stewards upheld a similar request from Alpine, which argued that Pierre Gasly should not have been penalized for speeding. Evidence from Formula One Management revealed that the pit lane speed measuring system was inaccurate, leading to Gasly's penalties being expunged and the race result changed.
This decision caused uproar among other teams, as five drivers had been penalized for pit lane speeding, including Russell. After Gasly was reinstated to the podium, Mercedes requested their own right of review, with team principal Toto Wolff consulting lawyers and telling reporters that the team had to try to do something.
Collaborative Discussions
Mercedes' statement explained: "Following the decision to rescind Pierre Gasly's time penalty, it was important for us to explore all available options to address the impact of George's pit lane speeding penalty on his race result. We had a limited time window in which to apply for the Right of Review during the race weekend in Barcelona, and did so in order to reserve our position in this regard."
The team added: "Our subsequent collaborative discussion with FIA and Formula One has shown their determination to review the unique circumstances arising from the Monaco Grand Prix and to proactively address the factors that caused them. In the face of this clear determination, we have concluded that further pursuit of our Right of Review application will not serve our team or the sport and thus we have withdrawn our submission."
Ongoing Appeals by Other Teams
Despite Mercedes' withdrawal, McLaren and Red Bull both still have active appeals. Both teams are protesting the stewards' decision to overturn Gasly's penalties in front of the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris, where an independent panel will review the case. No date has yet been publicly set for a hearing.
McLaren's driver Oscar Piastri was another who picked up a pit lane speeding penalty during the Monaco race. Neither Red Bull driver was penalized, but Isack Hadjar was stripped of what he thought was his first podium for the team when Gasly was reinstated to third place, dropping Hadjar to fourth and costing him three world championship points.
