Can Pierre Gasly still reach the Monaco Grand Prix podium? Alpine F1 has decided not to let it go and has filed an appeal following the two penalties handed to its driver. The FIA has set a date for the hearing, which will determine if the Frenchman can reclaim third place.
Monaco Podium Slipped Away Under Alpine’s Watch
The Monaco Grand Prix, a stage for countless dramas and twists, delivered another one. Pierre Gasly, who crossed the finish line in third place, saw his podium hopes evaporate due to two five-second penalties. These sanctions, issued after the race, dropped him to seventh, leaving the third step of the podium open for others. It’s a turn of events Alpine is struggling to accept.
Alpine Plays Its Last Card: The Right of Review
Faced with this situation, the French team didn’t hesitate. It immediately invoked the right of review, a rare but existing procedure in Formula 1, to contest each of the two penalties imposed on its driver. The objective is clear: to get these sanctions overturned and, consequently, reclaim third place, transforming a disappointment into an unexpected success. The FIA, the sport’s governing body, has agreed to examine the request and has summoned the parties involved.
Hearing Set: Verdict Expected This Thursday
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) announced that the stewards from the Monaco Grand Prix will review the case this Thursday, June 11th, starting at 1:00 PM. The hearing will take place via video conference, a format that has become common in the paddock. However, the procedure is strict. The FIA specified that the review will be divided into two parts. The first will involve evaluating the evidence and documents submitted by Alpine to determine if there is a “significant and relevant new element” that was not known to the stewards at the time of the initial decision.
A Slim Hope, But a Battle for Principle
It’s important to note that securing a review is already a victory in itself. The FIA is notoriously reluctant to change its decisions, and the vast majority of review requests result in the original sanctions being upheld. For a second hearing to be held, Alpine will need to present a new and decisive element, “new evidence” that could have changed the outcome. This is an arduous task, especially considering the infractions involved minor speed infringements in the pit lane.
Millimeter-Precise Speeding Costs Dearly
The two penalties given to Pierre Gasly were for minuscule discrepancies: 0.1 km/h and 0.4 km/h over the pit lane speed limit. These were measured by the electronic timing loops integrated into the track. The reason so many drivers were penalized in Monaco is partly due to the street circuit’s layout, which allowed drivers to slightly cut the line entering the pit lane, thus reducing the distance over which speed is measured. Despite repeated warnings from his race engineer, Josh Peckett, Gasly couldn’t avoid these costly infractions.
Key Takeaways from This Affair
- Right of Review: An exceptional procedure allowing a decision to be contested if new, conclusive evidence is presented.
- FIA Hearing: Scheduled for Thursday, June 11th, it will determine if Alpine’s appeal is admissible.
- Penalties: Two five-second penalties for minor speed infringements in the pit lane.
- Monaco Context: The circuit’s configuration facilitated exceeding the measured speed limit.
- Uncertain Outcome: Alpine’s success is far from guaranteed, as the FIA is strict on the admissibility of new evidence.
- Importance of Principle: Even without success, Alpine demonstrates its determination to defend its drivers and results.
