George Russell’s team will face the stewards this weekend as the fallout from Pierre Gasly’s reinstated Monaco podium continues to shake Formula 1
The controversy surrounding the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix has taken another dramatic turn, with the FIA officially summoning Mercedes to a hearing that could once again alter the final classification of the race.
Weeks after the chequered flag fell in Monte Carlo, the governing body is still dealing with the fallout from one of the most contentious stewarding decisions of the season. The latest development centres on Mercedes’ formal request for a right of review following the FIA’s decision to reinstate Alpine driver to third place.
Gasly originally crossed the line in P3 but was demoted after receiving a five-second penalty for exceeding the pit-lane speed limit. The sanction dropped him behind Red Bull rookie , handing the Frenchman’s compatriot his second Formula 1 podium.
However, the situation changed dramatically when Alpine successfully challenged the decision. Following a review, FIA stewards determined that the Monaco pit lane had been measured incorrectly, with the recorded distance being 77 metres longer than drivers could actually travel. As a result, Gasly’s penalty was overturned and his podium position restored.
Mercedes Challenge FIA Verdict
The ruling sparked widespread frustration among rival teams, particularly Mercedes. The Silver Arrows argued that the correction should not be limited solely to Gasly’s case.
Their frustration stems largely from the situation involving , who received additional penalties after incorrectly serving an earlier speeding infringement during the race. Team principal has repeatedly suggested that Russell could have challenged for a podium finish had those penalties not been imposed.
Speaking during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend in Barcelona, Wolff revealed he had consulted Mercedes’ legal team regarding the matter, insisting the team had a responsibility to defend its driver’s interests despite acknowledging the difficulties involved in reopening the case.
The dispute has since expanded beyond Mercedes. Both and have also reportedly challenged aspects of the FIA’s decision-making process, further complicating an already sensitive situation.
FIA Hearing Scheduled for Austrian Grand Prix Weekend
An FIA document released on Wednesday confirmed that Mercedes’ petition will be examined by the stewards on Saturday, June 20, via a virtual hearing.
The proceedings will initially focus on whether Mercedes’ request is admissible under Article 14 of the FIA International Sporting Code. Stewards must first determine whether the team has presented a “significant and relevant new element” that was unavailable when the original decision was made.
Should that threshold be met, a second phase of the hearing will be convened, allowing the merits of the case itself to be examined in greater detail.
The FIA stated that the first stage of the hearing will determine the admissibility of the petition before assessing whether new evidence exists that justifies revisiting the original Monaco Grand Prix verdict.
Potential Implications for the Championship
While altering the Monaco results again would be unprecedented, the implications could be significant.
Any further revisions could affect championship points, podium records and the competitive standings of multiple teams. More importantly, the case has reignited debate over stewarding consistency and the FIA’s review procedures.
What began as a marginal pit-lane speed infringement has evolved into one of Formula 1’s most complex regulatory disputes of the season. With Mercedes now preparing to present its case, the paddock will be watching closely to see whether the Monaco Grand Prix classification is destined for yet another rewrite.
For now, Gasly remains officially classified in third place, but the final chapter of Monaco’s extraordinary post-race saga may not have been written yet.