Monaco Grand Prix result could be changed as FIA confirm official hearing

The final outcome of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix could still be altered after Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, officially confirmed that it will hold a hearing regarding Alpine’s challenge to the penalties that cost Pierre Gasly a podium finish in Monte Carlo. The decision has opened the door to a possible revision of the race classification, keeping one of the weekend’s biggest controversies alive ahead of the next round of the championship.

Gasly crossed the finish line in third place after producing one of the strongest performances of his Formula 1 career. The Alpine driver delivered a composed and aggressive race around the streets of Monaco, climbing into podium contention and appearing set to secure a memorable result for both himself and the French team. However, celebrations were short-lived when race stewards handed him two separate five-second penalties for pit-lane speeding infringements.

According to the FIA’s findings, Gasly exceeded the 60 km/h pit-lane speed limit on two occasions during the race. The recorded speeds were marginally over the limit, with measurements showing 60.1 km/h and 60.4 km/h. Although the differences appeared extremely small, the regulations leave little room for interpretation, and the penalties were applied after the race. As a result, Gasly dropped from third to seventh in the final classification.

The demotion dramatically reshaped the final results and denied Alpine what would have been one of its most significant achievements in recent seasons. Gasly expressed frustration immediately after the race, insisting that he believed he had remained within the speed limit and activated the pit limiter before reaching the critical timing zone. The Frenchman described the outcome as heartbreaking, arguing that the team deserved the podium it had earned on track.

In response, Alpine submitted an official Petition for Review, a process that allows competitors to challenge a stewarding decision under specific circumstances. The FIA has now confirmed that a virtual hearing will take place on Thursday, where Alpine will present its case to the Monaco Grand Prix stewards.

However, the team faces a significant hurdle before the original penalties can even be reconsidered. Under FIA regulations, Alpine must first prove that there is a “significant and relevant new element” that was not available when the initial decision was made. Only if the stewards agree that such evidence exists will a second phase of the hearing be conducted to examine whether the penalties should be overturned.

The case has attracted widespread attention because it could potentially change the official Monaco Grand Prix standings. If Alpine succeeds in having the penalties removed, Gasly could be restored to third place, reclaiming the podium position he earned on the road. Such a decision would also have implications for the drivers who benefited from his demotion in the final classification.

The controversy has also sparked debate throughout the Formula 1 paddock regarding Monaco’s pit-lane speed monitoring system. Reports suggest that the unique layout of the circuit and the method used to calculate average speed may have contributed to the unusually high number of speeding penalties handed out during the race. Several drivers questioned the rulings after the event, although Alpine is the only team to formally request a review.

For Alpine, the hearing represents a final opportunity to recover a result that could have significant consequences in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. A podium finish in Monaco carries enormous prestige, and the team remains convinced that the circumstances surrounding the penalties deserve further examination.

With the hearing now officially scheduled, attention will shift from the streets of Monte Carlo to the FIA meeting room. Whether the stewards decide to uphold the penalties or reopen the case entirely, the outcome could have a direct impact on the final record books of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix. Until that verdict is delivered, one of Formula 1’s most dramatic race weekends of the season remains unfinished.