Pierre Gasly's third-place finish at Monaco Grand Prix reinstated after FIA review. The Alpine driver was initially demoted due to speeding penalties, but an appeal led to a hearing and eventual reversal of the sanctions.
The FIA's decision is a rare example of a penalty being rescinded due to new evidence coming to light. This highlights the need for accurate timing and measurement in F1, as even minor tweaks can significantly impact speed calculations.
Gasly's reinstatement gives him his sixth career podium and marks Alpine team's first top-three finish since 2024. The win is a significant boost to Gasly's and the team's chances in the championship.
The reversal of penalties also affects Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar, who drops from third place to fourth. Oscar Piastri moves up to fifth, while Racing Bulls duo Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad take sixth and seventh respectively.
No other positions within the top 10 are affected by the decision, which is a testament to the FIA's thorough review process.
The unusual nature of the penalty reversal stems from changes made to the pit lane and timing loops. The nine sets of timing loops detect average speed rather than radar gun or camera readings.
According to the FIA, the barriers at the pit entry and pit loop 2 changed between 2025 and 2026, enabling a shorter trajectory in 2026 compared to 2025.
The decision was made after race control queried stewards about reports of alleged breaches, which were later found to be accurate. The Official Timekeeper's report showed that the shortest distance between the first and second loops was only 77 cm less than the setup distance used for speed calculation.
Overall, the FIA's decision demonstrates the importance of careful review and analysis in F1, particularly when it comes to timing and measurement.
The decision highlights the importance of accurate timing and measurement in F1, with minor tweaks to the pit lane leading to a significant change in speed calculation.
