Sergio Pérez was given a drive-through penalty during the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix on June 7, 2026. The penalty was for a starting position infraction.

What happened?

The stewards ruled that Pérez was out of position at the start of the race.

Why it matters for Sergio Pérez

This penalty could not have come at a worse time for Pérez, who has struggled for consistency through the early part of the 2026 season.

The drive-through penalty requires the driver to pass through the pit lane without stopping, costing valuable time and track position at one of the calendar’s most unforgiving circuits for overtaking.

What comes next?

Pérez sits in P18, still recovering from his drive-through penalty, with Kimi Antonelli leading the race for Mercedes, and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton 6.0 seconds behind in second.

On lap 11 of 78, the penalty was confirmed during the Formula 1 live broadcast, with Pérez coming into the pits to serve it immediately.

Being out of position at the start is one of the more unusual infractions in Formula 1. Drivers are required to line up precisely within their designated grid box before the lights go out, and any deviation can result in a penalty.

The race has already claimed two high-profile casualties, including Max Verstappen, who retired early, and Valtteri Bottas, who became the second DNF of the race on lap 18 due to a cooling issue.

At lap 22 of 78, a battle was developing for fourth, with Isack Hadjar holding the position just 0.573 seconds ahead of George Russell.

Pérez will need to push hard to recover from his penalty and make up lost ground in the remaining laps of the Monaco Grand Prix.

The stewards wasted little time in confirming the punishment for the Cadillac driver, highlighting the importance of adhering to the rules in Formula 1.

Monaco offers virtually no opportunity for overtaking, with most position changes happening exclusively in the pit lane, making Pérez's task even more challenging.

As the race continues, Pérez will be looking to make the most of his situation and try to salvage a positive result from the Monaco Grand Prix on June 7, 2026.