The Monaco Grand Prix saw Ferrari's Charles Leclerc end his race early after crashing at the final corner during a restart, according to the report.. Five drivers were penalised for exceeding the 60km/h pit-lane speed limit, including Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes' George Russell, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto. Alpine has since requested a right of review for the speeding infractions, potentially challenging how the limit is measured.

Leclerc's Restart Crash Ends Race on Final Corner

Charles Leclerc's home race came to an abrupt halt when he lost control at the final coorner during a restart. The incident removed a contender from the field and added to the drama of a race already marked by multiple pit-lane penalties. As the source notes, the crash occurred after Leclerc had been running competitively, though the report does not specify any contributing mechanical failure or driver error beyond the crash itself.

Five Drivers Hit With Pit-Lane Speeding Penalties at 60km/h Limit

The penalty list included Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes' George Russell, McLaren's Oscar Piastri, and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto—all cited for exceeding the strict 60km/h pit-lane speed limit. According to the report, all five drivers insisted they had not exceeded the limit, with Hamilton stating he has driven the same line for years without issue.. The incident has amplified scrutiny of the FIA's measurement system, which uses timing loops and on-car transponders that can be triggered when drivers cut across the white lines defining the fast lane.

Alpine's Right of Review Bid Could Reshape Penalty Outcomes

Alpine has formally requested a right of review for the speeding infractions, a rare move that could potentially benefit other penalised drivers if successful. As the report explains, the right of review is a mechanism used to appeal penalties that are not normally subject to appeal, such as pit-lane speeding. However, the source notes that the FIA often finds ways to reject such appeals, and even if Alpine's request is granted for Gasly, it would only directly affect his result—though it could open the door for other teams to challenge the system.

Why Drivers Blame Timing Loops, Not Their Speed

Drivers and teams are questioning the software and hardware used to measure the pit-lane limit.. The source details that the system relies on timing loops and transponders, which can be tripped by drivers crossing the white lines . Mercedes had instructed its drivers to go wide on pit-lane entry to avoid triggering the limit, but Russell still managed to set off the sensor. The discrepancy has led to unanimous driver frustration, with many believing they were not speeding but caught by an imprecise measurement method.

Russell's Admission Highlights Mercedes' Continued Struggles

George Russell, one of the penalised drivers, admitted after qualifying that he has been struggling to maximise the Mercedes car all season, a statement the report calls a "seminal moment" in the championship fight. Russell's long run of bad luck and mistakes has compounded his on-track difficulties, and the pit-lane penalty adds another setback. His openness underscores broader concerns about Mercedes' performance consistency,though the team has not offically commented on the measurement issue beyond instructing drivers on pit-lane entry.