News summary
- Alpine criticized the FIA’s decision to reinstate Pierre Gasly’s Monaco GP penalties, saying the team remains convinced that car #10 did not exceed the pit-lane speed limit.
- Gasly’s 2 five-second penalties were reinstated after Red Bull and McLaren successfully appealed the decision that had previously removed them.
- Gasly drops back to seventh, while Isack Hadjar and Oscar Piastri move up to third and fourth respectively.
Alpine has made no secret of its frustration with the decision announced by the FIA on Friday morning (September 4), which resulted in Pierre Gasly losing his Monaco GP podium. Although the team said it acknowledges the decision reached by the judges following the hearing in Paris, it was direct in stating that it considers the penalty unfair.
Gasly crossed the finish line of the Monaco GP in third place, but 2 five-second penalties for exceeding the pit-lane speed limit dropped him to seventh, promoting Isack Hadjar to the final podium position.
The Enstone-based team subsequently requested a right of review, and the analysis found that the length of the pit-lane section used in the calculation had been measured incorrectly by the timing official. The speed over the section had been calculated using the relationship between speed, distance and time rather than a single measurement point at the pit-lane entrance or exit. The FIA stewards accepted the request for review and removed Gasly’s penalties, allowing the Frenchman to reclaim the podium.
Red Bull and McLaren, however, appealed that decision on June 16. The FIA then held a hearing on August 25 to consider the appeals and ultimately ruled in favor of the 2 teams.
As a result, Isack Hadjar and Oscar Piastri move up to third and fourth respectively, while Pierre Gasly drops back to seventh. Alpine expressed its disappointment with the outcome.
“The team expresses its disappointment and frustration with the decision handed down by the FIA International Court of Appeal regarding the result of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. While we disagree with the decision and remain convinced that car #10 did not exceed the pit-lane speed limit at any point during the race, the team acknowledges the decision of the panel of judges following the recent hearing in Paris,” Alpine said in a statement.
“While the outcome is not what we had hoped for, as we believe we were unfairly penalized, the team remains firmly focused on continuing to improve performance on track and remains in a close and highly competitive championship fight. This outcome will not deter the team’s efforts and motivation to achieve the objectives set for the end of the season,” Alpine concluded.
The FIA ruling also changed the 2026 championship standings, with Alpine losing 9 points from Gasly’s original Monaco result and Racing Bulls, Red Bull and McLaren benefiting from the revised classification.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues this weekend at Monza, with the Italian GP taking place from September 4-6. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action from the 13th round of the championship.
FAQ
Why did Pierre Gasly lose his Monaco GP podium?
The FIA International Court of Appeal reinstated 2 five-second penalties imposed on Gasly for exceeding the pit-lane speed limit, dropping him from third to seventh.
Why had Gasly’s penalties previously been removed?
Alpine successfully requested a review after arguing that the pit-lane section used to calculate Gasly’s speed had been measured incorrectly. The stewards accepted the review and removed the penalties before Red Bull and McLaren appealed that decision.
What was Alpine’s reaction to the FIA ruling?
Alpine said it was disappointed and frustrated by the decision and maintained that car #10 had not exceeded the pit-lane speed limit. The team said it believed it had been “unfairly penalized” while acknowledging the Court’s decision.
