MONTMELO, Spain (AP) — Alpine driver Pierre Gasly's third-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix was reinstated Friday after racing officials accepted an appeal filed by the Formula 1 team.
Gasly finished the Monaco race third but was demoted to seventh place after race officials handed him two five-second penalties for allegedly going too fast in the pitlane.
Alpine immediately appealed the ruling, and the FIA found that the timekeepers had erred in clocking his car's speed.
The FIA said in an X post on Friday that “the stewards of the Monaco GP have rescinded Gasly’s penalties, effectively handing him back his third place finish.”
Gasly celebrated the decision, which gives Alpine its first podium since 2024, on social media.
“WE GOT IT BACK!! P3 in Monaco!” the Frech driver wrote on X. “Huge thanks to my amazing team and all the people who supported us!! Thanks FIA & F1 for the transparency of the situation. One to remember.”
Already on Thursday, the FIA said that it was considering Alpine’s appeal because the timekeepers at the Monaco race had provided evidence that they had made a mistake. FIA said that the “distance used in calculating” car speeds was wrong and “overestimated the speed” of Gasly’s car.
The decision came five days after the Monaco race while teams were getting set to practice for the next race in Barcelona.
Red Bull's Isack Hadjar will drop from third to fourth place in the Monaco results.
Gasly was one of several drivers to get penalties for speeding in the pitlane during the Monaco face, which was won by Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli.
“We were aware that there had been issues with that part of the track on Friday and on Saturday, so we had some doubts about it," Alpine managing director Steve Nielsen told reporters at the Barcelona race. "And when we saw all these penalties in the race, even though we didn’t know exactly what the error was, it was not unreasonable to think that something was wrong.”
Title hopeful George Russell was hit hardest after he initially received a five-second penalty for speeding which was then upgraded to a more severe drive-through penalty because his Mercedes team didn’t wait the required five seconds before working on his car at his next pit stop. That dropped Russell out of the top 10 and he didn’t score any points, falling further behind Antonelli, the points leader.
Mercedes and the other teams given penalties did not appeal in time, and race officials apparently are not going to alter their results.
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Alpine driver Pierre Gasly of France during the second free practice at the Monaco racetrack, in Monaco, Friday, June 5, 2026. The Formula one race will be held on Sunday. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson announced his immediate retirement from international cricket on Friday, ending a standout career in which he scored 33 test hundreds and became one of the top players in the modern game.
The decision was announced by the New Zealand’s men’s cricket team on X and in a full statement on New Zealand cricket's website.
“New Zealand’s most prolific all-format run scorer and arguably greatest ever batsman Kane Williamson has confirmed his retirement from international cricket effective immediately,” the statement read. "Williamson’s announcement brings an end to a glittering 16-year international career that has seen him play 378 games for his country (in all formats), setting countless batting records and earning the respect and admiration of the cricketing world."
The 35-year-old Williamson scored 9,515 test runs at an average of 54.06 and with a highest score of 251.
He also scored 7,256 one-day international runs with 15 hundreds and an average of 48.69, as well as 2,575 T20 runs.
Williamson, the former captain, said the time felt right to step away.
“I’ve thought about it for a while, but over the last few days it’s become clear now is the right time," he said. “I’ve always felt a strong drive and hunger for international cricket, and I take pride in knowing I’ve given it my all in every match I’ve played for New Zealand."
A graceful and versatile batter with huge powers of concentration, the right-handed Williamson was considered among the four recent modern batting greats alongside India's Virat Kohli, Australia's Steve Smith and England's Joe Root — known as the Fab Four.
Williamson's remarkable ability to play the ball late using his soft hands and sumptuous drives off the back foot were trademarks of his game.
An occasional spinner, he also took 30 test wickets and 37 ODI wickets with his offbreaks.
Williamson was also an immensely respected player among opposing teams and known for his sense of fairness in defeat — such as when New Zealand lost a dramatic World Cup final to England in 2019 in all-time classic.
Two years later, in another thriller, Williamson led New Zealand to become inaugural world test champions with victory over powerhouse India.
“It’s a team I love, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of it for so long. It will continue to be dear to my heart,” he said. “I leave feeling optimistic about where this group is heading. There’s a huge amount of talent, and a real desire to do something special with this New Zealand team."
New Zealand coach Rob Walter paid tribute to Williamson.
“Anyone who’s had the privilege of working with Kane understands he is a very special player and person," Walter said. “His numbers and batting skills speak for themselves, but it’s what he means to this Black Caps team, as well as world cricket that will be his legacy."
“Kane’s always put the team first and although we’re disappointed to see him go, we’re happy to know he’s content and at peace with his decision."
Williamson's international retirement comes during his nation's three-test series against England, with the second test scheduled to start next Wednesday at The Oval.
It means his last contributions to New Zealand were nought and 18 during the first test defeat on a difficult pitch at Lord's.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
New Zealand's Kane Williamson leaves the pitch after losing his wicket during the second day of the test match between England and New Zealand at Lord's cricket ground in London, Friday, June 5, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
New Zealand's Kane Williamson leaves the pitch after losing his wicket during the first day of the test match between England and New Zealand at Lord's cricket ground in London, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
