Pierre Gasly drove a strong race at the 2026 F1 Monaco GP. The Frenchman believed he had secured a podium finish, only to be told he had incurred a time penalty that dropped him from P3 to P7.
Alpine issue statement on Right of Request after they were hit with penalties
The Alpine driver received two penalties, resulting in a 10-second time penalty added after the race concluded. The penalties were for exceeding the speed allowed in the pit lane. Several drivers got hit with similar penalties, including his teammate Franco Colapinto. However, Oscar Piastri, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton all served the penalty during the race and therefore did not have the time added to their final positions.
Alpine issued a statement after the conclusion of the F1 Monaco GP, stating that they had requested a Right of Review from the FIA regarding the penalties for pit lane speeding.
Gasly on pit lane penalties at the 2026 F1 Monaco GP: “it’s just not right”
Gasly spoke in the print media pen after the Monaco GP concluded. The Frenchman was clear that he felt the penalties were unfair. Speaking about the lost opportunity in the written media pen, Gasly said:
“I don’t think there is anything that could hurt me more right now. For ten years, I’m fucking working my ass off for these type of moments. We did everything right today. Standing on that podium in front of all the fans that turned up, this is the type of moment that for me can be taken away from us by unfair reasons. What’s going on right now is not right, and hopefully, they can make the right calls.”
When the Alpine driver took the chequered flag, he appeared unaware that he had received the time penalties. He began celebrating the P3 on the radio before he was informed of the situation. When asked if he was aware of the pit lane entry configuration, Gasly explained:
“I’m aware, but I know as well for a fact that what’s in the car is below the 60kph. I know on both occasions I’ve put it way before the line. That’s probably the most simple setting you can put in a Formula 1 car. When you have three or four teams that get called for speeding, hopefully it rings a bell to the guys that they need to check exactly what’s going on. It’s just not right.”
Gasly “heartbroken” after the F1 Monaco GP
He was then asked whether something needs to be done to ensure drivers are not pinged for speeding when they are not speeding. The Frenchman said:
“They can see on the data. I just hope whatever they come up with, you can look at the data, you can look at the speed that we are going at. It’s precise enough. Hopefully, we can fight because it’s not going to give my moment back in terms of celebrating on the podium with the people, but podium is a podium. It’s been ten years I’ve been fighting very hard to get every single opportunity. I’ve managed to get five podiums, which is not enough if you ask me. I deserve this one. Hopefully, they can do something.”
The Alpine driver drove a strong race, clinching podium contention from P9 on the grid. After a great Qualifying, he set himself up to score points. In a difficult race like Monaco, which requires drivers to drive on the edge while remaining precise, he delivered.
He continued to say:
“If there will be one, there will be two, four, or five. As I said, it’s a very simple setting in the car. I’m feeling heartbroken. I just drove across the line in P3, starting from P9. We managed to do everything we needed, we managed the right pace. We put ourselves in contention at the last restart. I was fifth and then passed Hadjar in the pin to Turn 1. I live for this moment, but definitely not to be penalised unfairly and be robbed from a podium, not after all the work we do.”
A very intense Monaco GP
Asked if the 2026 Monaco GP was one of his best drives, Gasly reflected:
“I think it’s been yeah, I wouldn’t call it the best. I’ve had many good drives, but I feel I’ve managed to put myself where I had to to seize this type of opportunity. That’s why I know with the package I have at the moment, this is all I can try. Getting that P9 yesterday wasn’t easy, and we managed to do it. Today I managed to get Norris at the start, defend on him for I don’t know how many laps, but that was very intense. Then after getting Hadjar at the restart, it was a good drive. It’s not the way I want to celebrate it.”
Lastly, Gasly was asked about George Russell backing up at the restart and about the chaos it caused. When Gasly enquired why Russell got the drive-through penalty and was told it was for not serving his pit lane speeding penalty, Gasly said:
“It didn’t really change our day, but clearly I feel like speeding is not really…it doesn’t sound right to me. Hopefully, they can do something about it.”
