McLaren have lodged an official appeal against the FIA's controversial decision to reverse Alpine driver Pierre Gasly's pit-lane speeding penalty at the Monaco Grand Prix. The move could reshuffle the final race classification in a dispute that pits two midfield teams against each other.
Gasly was originally handed a five-second penalty for exceeding the pit-lane speed limit during the race. The stewards later overturned that penalty after a review, allowing Gasly to retain his finishing position ahead of McLaren's drivers, frustrating the Woking-based team.
A successful appeal could have significant implications in the constructors' championship, where every point is critical in the tight midfield battle. McLaren currently sit fifth in the standings, while Alpine are sixth, separated by just a handful of points.
The FIA has yet to set a date for the appeal hearing, meaning the final outcome may not be known until the next race weekend. McLaren will hope to gain clarity soon as they prepare for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Team principal Andrea Stella said after the race that the original penalty was 'clear and justified,' adding that the reversal 'doesn't align with the principles of consistency in enforcement.'