The results of the Monaco Grand Prix continue to dominate Formula 1 headlines after a controversial FIA ruling gave back Pierre Gasly’s podium finish days after the race.
However, what started as a routine post-race penalty has quickly turned into a legal and sporting dispute involving Alpine, McLaren, Mercedes and the FIA.
Gasly’s penalty disputed
Gasly crossed the line in third place for Alpine in Monaco but was later demoted to seventh after receiving two five-second penalties for speeding in the pit lane.
The penalties were given after officials saw that the driver had exceeded the speed limit in the pit lane on two separate occasions.
However, Alpine immediately questioned the accuracy of the data used to reach that conclusion and launched a Right of Review with the FIA.
The team argued that new evidence came to light which had not been available when the original decision was made.
The case was accepted for further review after Alpine offered information indicating that there was an error in the pit lane timing measurements.
Podium finish returned
During the FIA review process, Alpine provided evidence showing that the distance between timing loops in Monaco’s pit lane had been measured incorrectly.
The issue reportedly changed the calculations used to determine drivers’ average speeds, leading to incorrect speeding penalties.
After reviewing the new evidence, the stewards concluded that Gasly’s car had not exceeded the speed limit and they took away both penalties.
“Following the acceptance of the petition, the findings of its admissibility… the Stewards’ sole task is to determine if Car 10 [Gasly] exceeded the speed limit of 60km/h in the pit lane. We determine that it did not,” the FIA stated.
As a result, Gasly was awarded third position, reclaiming his podium.
READ MORE: F1 analysis: Five storylines to watch – Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari revival and more
McLaren challenge decision
The FIA’s reversal immediately created frustration and controversy among rival teams.
McLaren has since lodged a notification of appeal against Gasly’s reinstated Monaco podium, arguing that the decision created an unfair sporting guideline.
Their main issue was that multiple drivers had received similar penalties during the race and had either served them or adjusted their strategies.
McLaren argued that competitors followed the regulations and accepted the penalties based on the information available at the time, making it unfair for one team’s punishment to be removed after the race.
“In our view, the subsequent removal of penalties creates a situation in which some competitors are disadvantaged by having acted in accordance with the rules and the Stewards decision,” McLaren said in a statement.
Mercedes pull out
Mercedes also explored its own legal options following the Monaco controversy.
The Silver Arrows F1 team filed a Right of Review request, believing the same evidence that helped Gasly could potentially impact George Russell’s race result.
Russell suffered heavily from his own pit lane penalty, eventually dropping out of the points after receiving a drive-through penalty for not serving his first penalty correctly.
The FIA approved Mercedes’ request for the first stage of a review hearing, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday.
However, the team changed their minds before the hearing could even begin.
Mercedes decided to withdraw its application, stating that the governing bodies had shown a willingness to address the unique circumstance that led to the controversy.
“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,” Mercedes noted.
The withdrawal ended Mercedes’ involvement in the dispute, leaving McLaren to continue their appeal.
The Monaco GP controversy has quickly become one of the most talked about stories of the 2026 F1 season.
And while Mercedes have stepped away from the appeal, McLaren continue to be a headline story.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: F1 news: Should Formula One add more Sprint races or remove them entirely?
Simon Wilkes 
Michael Davey