Mercedes has withdrawn its Right‑of‑Review request for the Monaco Grand Prix, acknowledging that overturning George Russell’s penalty would not change the championship balance.
Reinstatement of Gasly and the Timing Error
After Alpine’s successful post‑race challenge, Pierre Gasly was reinstated to third place. The appeal hinged on a revelation that FOM, the championship’s timing supplier, had used inaccurate pit‑lane measurements in Monaco. That error also applied to four other drivers, including Russell.
Reasoning Behind the Withdrawal
Mercedes confirmed that a hearing had been set for 20 June, but following discussions with the FIA and Formula One Management, the team decided that cancelling Russell’s drive‑through or granting any sporting compensation was unlikely to yield a positive outcome.
“We can confirm that we have withdrawn our Right of Review submission relating to the penalties received and served by George Russell during the Monaco Grand Prix,” a Mercedes spokesperson said.
The team admitted that the prospect of reversing Russell’s result was slim, and that further pursuit would do little for either the driver or the sport.
Next Steps in the Penalty‑Review Process
While Mercedes’s bid is off, Red Bull and McLaren remain poised to file their own protests. Those cases will now be addressed by the FIA’s International Court of Appeal, leaving the Monaco controversy still in motion.
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