Vowles questions Gasly podium reinstatement
Williams team principal James Vowles has backed McLaren and Red Bull as they consider a formal appeal against the reinstatement of Pierre Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix podium, warning that the FIA decision has created an uncomfortable competitive complication.
Gasly had initially been among several drivers penalised for speeding in the pitlane during the Monte Carlo race. While most of those drivers served their penalties in-race, Gasly’s sanction was applied to his final time after the chequered flag. Alpine then submitted a Right of Review, with the FIA confirming the team had successfully produced new evidence showing Gasly had not been speeding — evidence the stewards did not have when the original decision was made.
That outcome restored Gasly to the podium, but it has not closed the matter. McLaren and Red Bull have signalled their intention to appeal, while Mercedes has confirmed it is discussing the situation with its lawyers. The wider context of the case has already been under scrutiny, with F1 set to refine pitlane timing after the Monaco speed penalty controversy, underlining how sensitive the issue has become.
‘It creates a bit of a mess’
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after third practice ahead of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Vowles made clear that Williams was not directly affected in terms of its own result, but said the precedent and the knock-on consequences were troubling.
“I’m surprised we have the reinstatement, being frank about it,” Vowles said. “It doesn’t really affect us personally, he was ahead of us whichever way you do that, I think it’s more it creates a bit of a mess now.”
The Williams boss pointed specifically to the implications for other drivers whose results may have been shaped by the original penalty picture.
“What do you do with George? What do you do with Piastri, who also, in that circumstance, should have been on the podium as a result. That’s the mess I don’t feel comfortable about.”
When asked whether he would support McLaren and Red Bull if they proceed with a formal appeal, Vowles was unequivocal: “For good reason. I would support them in that.”
Williams leaves Monaco with mixed fortunes
For Williams, Monaco still delivered points through Alex Albon, who finished eighth and added four points to the team’s total. Carlos Sainz, however, retired after two collisions, one involving Nico Hulkenberg and another with Franco Colapinto.
That difficult end to Sainz’s race has also carried consequences beyond the result itself, with Williams facing a spares rebuild after Sainz’s costly Monaco retirement. As the Gasly case moves toward a potential appeal, Vowles’ intervention adds another senior voice to a dispute that now extends beyond a single podium place.
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