Pierre Gasly’s dream Monaco Grand Prix result has become the centre of a growing controversy after Alpine formally challenged the FIA over the pitlane speeding penalties that stripped the French driver of a podium finish. Sources within the paddock have indicated to TJ13 that Alpine believe their telemetry data shows Gasly remained within the 60km/h pitlane speed limit, prompting the team to trigger the FIA’s right-of-review process in a bid to overturn the decision.
Gasly crossed the line having secured what appeared to be one of the standout results of his Formula 1 career. However, two separate five-second penalties for pitlane speeding transformed a podium finish into seventh place, leaving Alpine furious and raising fresh questions about the accuracy of the FIA’s monitoring systems.
The dispute now threatens to become one of the most significant officiating controversies of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Gasly’s Monaco heartbreak after career-defining drive
Monaco has always been a race where opportunities are rare for midfield teams, making Gasly’s performance all the more significant.
After executing a near-flawless race around the streets of the Principality, the Frenchman looked set to secure a memorable podium before the penalties were applied.
Speaking after the race, Gasly did not hide his disappointment: “It’s 10 years I’m f***ing working my ass off for this type of moment and we did everything right.” reports the Race.
“Standing on that podium in front of all the fans that turn up – this is the type of moment that, for me, can’t be taken away from us by unfair reasons. Because what’s going on right now is not right and hopefully they can make the right calls.”
The emotional reaction reflected the scale of the loss. A Monaco podium remains one of Formula 1’s most prestigious achievements, and for a driver who has spent much of his career fighting to establish himself among the sport’s elite, the result carried enormous personal significance.
Instead, the penalties relegated him down the order and transformed celebration into frustration.
Alpine believe telemetry data contradicts FIA findings
The key development came after the race when Alpine confirmed it had formally requested a right of review from the FIA. The team’s statement was unequivocal.
“Following the result of today’s Monaco Grand Prix, the BWT Alpine Formula One Team can confirm that it has requested a right of review with the FIA after time penalties were applied for pitlane speeding.”
The review process is not a routine appeal. Under FIA regulations, a right of review requires a team to present significant and relevant new evidence that was unavailable to stewards when the original ruling was made. Sources familiar with Alpine’s position have indicated to us that the team believes its telemetry data provides precisely that evidence.
Alpine are confident they possess data showing Gasly remained within the prescribed speed limit during the periods under investigation. Should that evidence withstand scrutiny, attention would inevitably shift toward the FIA’s measurement and enforcement systems.
The implications would extend far beyond Monaco and could trigger a wider examination of how pitlane speed limits are monitored across the championship.
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Mercedes penalties add weight to software concerns
Gasly was not the only driver penalised. Both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell also received five-second penalties for pitlane speeding during the race, creating a pattern that several teams have privately questioned.
Russell’s comments after the Grand Prix added further intrigue: “It shows there was maybe a problem with the software or something like that. I pressed the button and then I was doing 60.1 kilometres per hour. Sixty is fine, 60.1 is not. That is what happened to me, and here I am.”
The margins involved were exceptionally small.
When multiple drivers from different teams are found to have exceeded the limit by fractions of a kilometre per hour, questions naturally emerge regarding calibration, timing methodology and measurement tolerances.
While no evidence has yet emerged proving any FIA system malfunction, Alpine’s challenge ensures those questions will now receive far greater scrutiny.
Monaco’s post-race drama extended beyond Alpine
The pitlane controversy was only one of several steward investigations following the race. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar initially faced uncertainty over his podium result after questions emerged regarding work carried out on the car during a red-flag period.
After reviewing the evidence, stewards concluded that no prohibited changes had been completed and allowed Hadjar to retain his podium finish.
The official ruling stated: “It was reported that the team attempted to change spark plugs and ignition coils but did not complete the change, and the car was started in the same condition as it arrived in the pit box. Therefore no further action is to be taken.”
Elsewhere, Sergio Perez suffered his own post-race setback after receiving a ten-second penalty for incorrectly positioning his car on the grid following the restart procedure.
That sanction dropped the Cadillac driver out of the points and elevated Fernando Alonso into the final championship-scoring position.
Why Alpine’s challenge could have major consequences
The FIA must now determine whether Alpine’s submission contains sufficient new evidence to justify reopening the case.
If the review request is rejected, Gasly’s result will remain unchanged and the Monaco classification will stand.
However, if the FIA accepts the evidence and subsequently overturns the penalties, the ramifications could be substantial.
Not only would Gasly potentially regain a podium finish, but Formula 1 would also face uncomfortable questions regarding the reliability of race-critical speed monitoring technology.
For Alpine, the issue extends beyond a single result. The team believes a driver who delivered one of the performances of the weekend has been deprived of a landmark achievement.
The paddock will now await the FIA’s response, with Gasly’s lost Monaco podium remaining one of the defining talking points of the season thus far.
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Craig.J. Alderson is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Craig oversees newsroom operations and coordinates editorial output across the site. With a background in online sports reporting and motorsport magazine editing, he plays a key role in maintaining consistency, speed, and accuracy in TJ13’s coverage.
During race weekends, Craig acts as desk lead, directing contributors, prioritising breaking stories, and ensuring timely publication across a fast-moving news cycle.
Craig’s work focuses heavily on real-time developments in the paddock, including team updates, regulatory decisions, and emerging controversies. This role requires a detailed understanding of Formula 1’s operational flow, from practice sessions through to race-day strategy and post-race fallout.
With experience managing editorial teams, Craig ensures that TJ13 delivers structured, reliable coverage while maintaining the site’s distinctive voice.
Craig has a particular interest in how information moves within the paddock environment, and how rapidly developing stories can be accurately translated into clear, accessible reporting for readers.
