Mercedes reacts to FIA decision on Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix penalty
Mercedes is reportedly “livid” following the FIA’s decision to overturn Pierre Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix penalty, acknowledging a timing measurement fault in the pit lane, reports BritPanorama.
This ruling restores Gasly’s third-place finish, yet it leaves George Russell with no remedy despite receiving an identical penalty based on the same flawed measurement system. The situation has escalated tensions within the teams, as both McLaren and Red Bull announced their intent to challenge the ruling, highlighting the farcical nature of the unfolding events.
George Russell, who was penalised for allegedly exceeding the 60 km/h pit lane limit, suffered particularly during the race. Mercedes failed to properly serve his five-second penalty, leading to a drive-through penalty that saw him drop from third to thirteenth place.
The FIA has confirmed an error in the timing measurement system provided by Formula One Management. Physical alterations made to the Monaco circuit have contributed to the confusion, as modifications to barriers at the pit entry and near the second timing loop have enabled drivers to potentially take shorter routes than in previous seasons.
The official timekeeper had configured the first timing zone at 2,692 cm; however, post-race LIDAR scans indicated the actual shortest distance was just 2,615 cm. This 77 cm discrepancy proved pivotal, as all six alleged speeding offences recorded occurred within this inaccurate zone, leading to artificially inflated speed readings for several cars.
Earlier in the race weekend, Mercedes and other teams raised concerns about the timing system, alerting officials to perceived irregularities during practice sessions. The implications for Russell in the championship standings are significant; having lost an estimated 15 points in Monaco, combined with a subsequent retirement in Canada, he now trails teammate Kimi Antonelli by 68 points.
Russell expressed his discontent prior to the stewards’ ruling, stating, “It would be a real… or another kick in the balls if it does get overturned because I was trying to plead with the FIA not to take the drive-through and to give me the penalty retrospectively.” He added that they believed they were driving at approximately 59 km/h, yet the system recorded 60.1 km/h.
As appeals from McLaren and Red Bull progress, the ramifications extend beyond Russell, impacting other drivers. Isack Hadjar falls to fourth position, while Oscar Piastri drops to fifth following Gasly’s reinstatement.
In a statement, the stewards clarified their limits, asserting they lack the authority to reverse penalties already served in a race, as there is “no regulation that gives the stewards the power to ‘undo’ a served penalty.” Commenting after the ruling, Gasly expressed his relief, stating, “I was extremely happy,” while Alpine praised the FIA and Formula One Management for their “transparency and cooperation.”
In a sport where the fine margins can dictate outrage or celebration, this episode serves as a reminder of just how swiftly opinion can shift — and how the lines between chaos and sport can sometimes blur irreparably.
