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FOM Timing Error Restores Gasly's Monaco Podium

Rival teams have launched appeals to the FIA court to challenge a ruling that exposes rules preventing penalties served during a race from being reversed

Overview

  • Formula One Management admitted a 77cm error in the Monaco pit‑lane timing loops that produced incorrect average‑speed readings and led the stewards to rescind Pierre Gasly’s two post‑race five‑second penalties and return him to the podium.
  • Five drivers—Pierre Gasly, Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Oscar Piastri and Franco Colapinto—were originally handed five‑second penalties for exceeding the 60 km/h pit‑lane limit during the race.
  • The stewards say the key legal difference is that Gasly’s penalties were added after the race and could be reviewed while penalties that were served on track cannot be retroactively 'undone' under current FIA sporting rules.
  • McLaren and Red Bull have filed appeals with the FIA International Court of Appeal contesting the stewards’ cancellation of Gasly’s penalties, and Mercedes withdrew its Right of Review on Thursday and accepted George Russell’s P12 result.
  • The dispute has immediate points and fairness implications and is prompting calls for technical fixes to FOM timing equipment, clearer measurement protocols and changes to stewarding and appeals procedures to prevent similar disputes.