Alpine’s Monaco Appeal Puts Isack Hadjar’s First Red Bull Podium at Risk

The final classification of the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix remains in flux after Alpine successfully cleared the first stage of a Right of Review regarding Pierre Gasly’s pitlane speeding penalties. If the appeal succeeds, it would trigger a significant shuffle in the top ten, most notably stripping Red Bull's Isack Hadjar of his first podium with the team.

Why it matters:

A successful appeal wouldn't just be a victory for Alpine; it would rewrite the narrative of the Monaco weekend. For Isack Hadjar, it means the difference between a career milestone and a fourth-place finish. While the physical trophy might be revoked, the result would impact the points standings and the psychological momentum of Hadjar's tenure as Max Verstappen's teammate.

The Details:

• The Appeal: Alpine's request for a Right of Review was deemed admissible, meaning the stewards found the initial application met the necessary criteria to be heard.
• The Penalty: Gasly was originally hit with two pitlane speeding penalties that dropped him from a third-place finish down to seventh.
• The Ripple Effect: If the penalties are overturned, Gasly would reclaim third, pushing Hadjar down to fourth, behind Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton.
• Hadjar's Perspective: Speaking ahead of the Barcelona Grand Prix, Hadjar expressed a pragmatic view, noting that while losing three points is a downside, the emotional experience and the fact that he secured the result on track remain intact.

The Big Picture:

Hadjar's composure in the face of a potential result reversal highlights his integration into the Red Bull Racing environment. In a team known for its ruthless internal standards, establishing himself as a stable and mentally resilient partner to Max Verstappen is arguably more valuable than a single podium result. His focus appears to be on long-term performance rather than the volatility of stewards' decisions.

What's next:

The FIA will now determine if Alpine has provided "significant and relevant" new evidence to justify overturning the original penalties. The final ruling will be delivered shortly, just as the circus moves to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the next round of the championship.