McLaren's 'double intent' as FIA International Court hearing begins

McLaren team principal Andrea Stella says the team has a 'double intent' as McLaren and Red Bull challenge the FIA's decision to rescind Pierre Gasly's Monaco penalties at the International Court of Appeal. The hearing began behind closed doors in Paris.

Why it matters:

McLaren argues the process that wiped Gasly's penalties raises fairness concerns, while the team itself lost points because Oscar Piastri had already served a penalty that cannot be undone.

The details:

• Gasly received two five-second penalties for pit-lane speeding in Monaco, dropping from third to seventh.
• Alpine's right of review found an error in the official pit-lane distance measurement, unavailable to stewards at the time, meeting the threshold for a review. The penalties were rescinded.
• Gasly was reinstated to P3, shuffling down Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad.
• Piastri, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were also caught speeding. Piastri and Hamilton served their penalties; Russell got a drive-through for serving his incorrectly.
• No rule allows a served penalty to be wiped, so Piastri and Russell could not be helped. Gasly and Franco Colapinto had not served theirs, making them eligible for reinstatement.
• Mercedes considered appealing Russell's case but did not proceed. McLaren and Red Bull did.

Between the lines:

Stella framed the appeal as both principle and self-interest, noting McLaren was 'materially penalised' by serving a penalty that is not appealable and lost championship points. The outcome could clarify whether post-race reviews can override penalties already served.

What's next:

The court will decide whether the Monaco stewards' decision stands. A ruling in McLaren and Red Bull's favour could reopen the classification and set a precedent for right-of-review cases.