![\"Two](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/fd726982c87393a7a16a156644ca78ef019bd16ab665c18fea817bc9ca2bd659.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Monaco’s pit lane is one of the tightest in space on the calendar. \u00a0Mark Sutton<\/p>\n
Five drivers were handed five-second penalties for speeding in the pit lane at the Monaco Grand Prix<\/a> – but they were all adamant they didn\u2019t speed. So who\u2019s lying? <\/p>\n Well, maybe nobody. Instead, it seems the timing culprit is the specific method F1 uses to collect speed data, a system that tripped up the grid at the principality. <\/p>\n Instead of checking straight speed in the pit lane, Formula 1 uses electronic timing loops to check a drivers\u2019 average speed over the entire time they drive through the pit lane. This is measured by FIA transponders. <\/p>\n For the 2026 season, the pit lane speed limit is set at 80kph. However, at select races, in the interests of safety, this limit is reduced to 60kph. <\/p>\n That 60kph speed limit applies to Monaco, due to the extremely tight nature of the pit lane, accentuated by the presence of the new\u00a011th Cadillac\u00a0garage. Five of the six in-race penalties<\/a> were handed out for a measured speed of 60.1kph. <\/p>\n In the majority of pit lanes visited throughout the year, the timing lines are parallel to the start\/finish line. Drivers enter and exit in a perfectly straight line, only turning to pull into their respective pit boxes. <\/p>\n Monaco, however, is a different beast. <\/p>\n Drivers turn right before the final corner, turn the car left shortly after the pit entry line and must navigate another slight left-hand turn before hitting the pit exit.<\/p>\n Consequently, too much of an aggressive cut at the start or end of the pit lane and drivers will shorten the time taken to pass between the timing loops. <\/p>\n The system will then determine that they have broken the speed limit.<\/p>\n That\u2019s what happened to Oscar Piastri<\/a>, fans spotted the Aussie\u2019s pit lane lights on his steering wheel turning on prematurely. <\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/bb1420b66ad158f5ee4845d89ae501b41338dd0d8b1d99006638879263b7b590.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n