Mercedes has decided not to pursue the process to overturn George Russell’s penalty at the Monaco Grand Prix
Mercedes has withdrawn its request for a review (“Right of Review”) of George Russell’s time penalty at the Monaco Grand Prix. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) announced this on Thursday evening.
Russell was among several drivers who received time penalties for speeding in the pit lane. It later emerged that there was an error in the timing system at the entrance to the pit lane in Monaco, which triggered false signals.
Russell lost any chance of a podium finish in Monaco because he did not serve his penalty correctly there. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was also affected. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, on the other hand, served both of his time penalties only after the race and consequently initially lost the podium finish he had inherited.
However, after Alpine filed a request for a review, the race stewards overturned the Frenchman’s penalties last Friday and reinstated his podium finish.
In light of Gasly’s reinstatement and the realization that there had been a problem with the timing, Mercedes decided on Tuesday to also file a request for review in order to potentially have Russell’s result corrected.
However, the FIA confirmed on Thursday evening that Mercedes had withdrawn the request. Team principal Toto Wolff had previously acknowledged that the chances of success were slim.
“The Race Commissioners were informed by the Mercedes Formula 1 team that the request for a review of the decisions made by the Sporting Commissioners of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix regarding a violation of Article B1.6.3a of the FIA F1 Regulations in connection with car 63 has been withdrawn,” the FIA Commissioners announced.
Meanwhile, Red Bull and McLaren have filed an appeal against Gasly’s reinstatement to P3, as they consider it unfair that the French driver was rewarded for not serving his penalties, while other unlawful penalties cannot be reversed.
This case will be heard by the FIA International Court of Appeal.
