Mercedes Withdraws Review Request Over George Russell’s Monaco Penalty

The Mercedes Formula 1 team has withdrawn its request for a review of George Russell’s time penalty at the Monaco Grand Prix, the FIA confirmed.

Russell, along with several other drivers, received a time penalty for exceeding the pit‑lane speed limit. A subsequent investigation revealed a timing error at the Monaco pit entry that produced false speed‑limit violations.

Because of the penalty, Russell missed out on a podium finish after failing to serve the sanction correctly, a fate shared by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly also initially missed the podium after serving two penalties only after the race, but a successful review by Alpine saw his penalties rescinded and his podium place restored.

Following Gasly’s reinstatement and the discovery of the timing issue, Mercedes filed its own review petition on Tuesday, hoping to amend Russell’s result. However, the FIA announced on Thursday evening that Mercedes had decided to withdraw the request, with team principal Toto Wolff acknowledging the low likelihood of success.

“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,” the FIA stewards stated.

Red Bull and McLaren have appealed Gasly’s reinstatement, arguing that it is unfair to reward a driver for not serving penalties while other unjust penalties remain unresolved. The matter will proceed to the FIA’s International Court of Appeal.

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