The result of the Monaco Grand Prix has been officially altered days after the race, following a successful appeal by Alpine. Pierre Gasly has been reinstated in third place, stripping Isack Hadjar of his maiden Red Bull podium finish.
Penalties Overturned After New Evidence
Gasly was among several drivers penalized for exceeding the pit lane speed limit during the Monaco Grand Prix. Initially, two five-second penalties cost him a podium finish. However, Alpine lodged a Right of Review request with the FIA, arguing that the timing system was inaccurate.
The hearing took place on Thursday in Barcelona, where the FIA deemed the review admissible. Formula One Management provided evidence that the distance between timing loops used to measure car speeds was incorrect, leading to an overestimation of Gasly's speed. As a result, the stewards unanimously determined that Gasly did not exceed the speed limit and rescinded the penalties.
Alpine's Statement and Stewards' Reasoning
An Alpine team statement welcomed the decision, thanking the FIA and Formula One Management for transparency. The stewards explained that their sole task was to determine if Gasly exceeded the 60 km/h limit, and they concluded he did not, with evidence approaching beyond reasonable doubt.
While Gasly's penalties were overturned, other drivers who received similar penalties during the race will not see their sanctions reversed. The stewards noted that no other team filed a Right of Review within the allowable time frame, and penalties already served cannot be undone.
Impact on Final Standings
With Gasly's third place restored, Isack Hadjar drops to fourth in the final classification. Alpine now focuses on the upcoming Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, aiming for strong results with both cars.
