Mercedes Withdraws Russell Monaco Right of Review, Confirming 12th-Place Finish
Mercedes has withdrawn its Right of Review petition over George Russell's 2026 Monaco Grand Prix time penalty following discussions with the FIA and Formula One Management. The team concluded that pursuing the case would not produce a positive outcome, leaving Russell's 12th-place finish unchanged. The broader Monaco penalty controversy continues, with Red Bull and McLaren still pursuing a separate appeal over Pierre Gasly's reinstated podium.
Mercedes closes the book on its Monaco review bid
Mercedes have announced that they have withdrawn their Right of Review request over the results of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix.
Following discussions with the FIA and Formula One Management, the team concluded that pursuing the request would not achieve any positive outcome for either the team or the championship. [1] [3]
What triggered the original penalty
George Russell was handed a penalty midway through the Monaco race for a pit lane speeding infringement, and then went on to receive a drive-through penalty for failing to properly serve the speeding infraction, with Russell eventually dropping out of the points to 12th after challenging for a podium earlier in the race. [1] It has since emerged that the measurement used to determine pit lane speeds was wrong, which allowed Alpine to successfully appeal against time penalties that had initially denied Pierre Gasly a spot on the podium. [3]
Why Mercedes launched the petition in the first place
Mercedes argued that both the admission that the measurements were incorrect and the fact that Gasly's penalty was overturned constituted new evidence that was not available at the time of the race, and therefore at the time Russell was penalised. [7] The stewards had regarded Alpine's evidence as a "significant and relevant new element," which is why Gasly's penalties were rescinded. [4] The FIA had announced on Wednesday that the first stage of the Right of Review would be held on Saturday morning, but on Thursday evening the FIA announced that Mercedes' request had been withdrawn. [4]
The official confirmation
In a statement, it was announced: "The Stewards have been informed by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team that they are withdrawing the petition for Review in respect of the decisions of the Stewards of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, breach of Article B1.6.3a of the FIA F1 Regulations in relation to Car 63." [1] Russell admitted in a post to social media on Friday that Mercedes had no chance of success by challenging the result from Monte Carlo. [6]
Russell's result stands; wider controversy continues
Confirmation of Mercedes' withdrawal means the team has accepted Russell's P12 result as final. [2] Red Bull and McLaren have appealed against Gasly's reinstatement, as they felt it was unfair for the Frenchman to be rewarded for not serving his penalties while other unjust penalties could not be unwound. [2] McLaren and Red Bull have submitted an appeal with the FIA International Court of Appeal, and an independent panel will review their cases in Paris, though a date has not been set. [2]
:::analysis The asymmetry at the heart of Monaco's penalty saga is stark. Alpine's successful Right of Review hinged on faulty pit lane timing data; but because Russell had already served an in-race drive-through, there was no penalty to simply expunge. Restoring his result would have required unwinding a consequence that was physically completed during the race, a far higher procedural bar than overturning a post-race time addition. Mercedes reading that ceiling clearly, and stepping back before the hearing, was the pragmatic move heading into Austria.
:::
Related reading
- [1]Mercedes withdraw Right of Review over 2026 Monaco Grand Prix result (formula1). Accessed 2026-06-20.
- [2]Mercedes withdraws George Russell Monaco penalty review request (motorsport). Accessed 2026-06-20.
- [3]Mercedes opt not to pursue appeal into George Russell's Monaco GP penalties (espn). Accessed 2026-06-20.
- [4]Monaco GP: Mercedes withdraw appeal of Pierre Gasly podium reinstatement following speeding penalty controversy (skysports). Accessed 2026-06-20.
- [5]George Russell penalty: Mercedes withdraw FIA Right of Review bid (planetf1). Accessed 2026-06-20.
- [6]George Russell breaks silence after Mercedes drops Monaco GP appeal (planetf1). Accessed 2026-06-20.
- [7]Mercedes seeks right of review over George Russell's Monaco GP penalty (motorsport). Accessed 2026-06-20.