Flavio Briatore, executive advisor to the Alpine Formula 1 team, has launched an extraordinary attack on McLaren over the International Court of Appeal's decision to strip Pierre Gasly of his Monaco Grand Prix podium. Speaking at the Italian Grand Prix team bosses' press conference on Friday, Briatore questioned the impartiality of one of the ICA judges, Filippo Marchino, alleging a conflict of interest.
The controversy stems from the recent appeals process that saw Gasly temporarily reinstated to third place in Monaco after Alpine's right of review, only for Red Bull and McLaren's subsequent appeal to demote him back to seventh. Briatore, waving a piece of paper, claimed Marchino acted as a prosecutor during the hearing and had undisclosed ties to McLaren.
Alleged Conflict of Interest
"First, we accept the decision, but what is very strange is that one of the four judges acts like a prosecutor," Briatore said. "For us, that's not a big problem. The problem is that he's very linked with McLaren. We have a picture of this guy at McLaren Special Operations in Beverly Hills in 2018. He has a foundation called the One Drop Foundation, and McLaren gave two or three cars. I think this was quite unfair, that one of the judges was linked with a team protesting us."
Marchino, an experienced trial attorney in the US, was not present to respond. He was elected to the FIA international tribunal and ICA in December 2023. Briatore further alleged that Marchino was "very nasty" and acted as a prosecutor, questioning his independence.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, present at the press conference, rebutted the claims: "I find this conference is going in a direction quite insulting for McLaren, for the reputation of a team that deserves respect. If anybody makes these allegations, they will have to take responsibility. The hearing was conducted to the highest standards, and we should not question it."
Briatore expressed surprise at the alleged link, but the FIA and Marchino have yet to comment. The row adds tension ahead of the Italian GP and could strain relations between the two teams.
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