The Italian Grand Prix press conference turned explosive when Flavio Briatore, Alpine F1's executive advisor, launched a scathing attack on the integrity of the Monaco GP appeal process. He questioned the independence of one of the judges who reinstated Pierre Gasly's penalties, alleging a close link between the judge and McLaren.
The controversy stems from the FIA's initial decision to rescind Gasly's penalty after an FOM measurement error was found. However, an appeal by McLaren and Red Bull led to the penalty being reinstated, dropping Gasly from third to seventh. Alpine expressed disappointment, but Briatore's remarks in the media went much further, suggesting the hearing was unfair.
In Friday's press conference at Monza, Briatore claimed one of the four judges, Filippo Marchino, acted like a prosecutor and had ties to McLaren. "We accept the decision, but what is strange is one judge acted like a prosecutor," he said. "We later found out the reason. He has a link with McLaren. There's a picture of him giving a speech for McLaren in 2018, and his foundation received McLaren cars. That's unfair."
The statement visibly shocked Andrea Stella, McLaren's team principal, who was sitting beside Briatore. Stella quickly fired back, calling the accusations insulting to McLaren's reputation and demanding Briatore take responsibility for his words. "If anyone makes such serious allegations, they must face the consequences," he said.
This incident adds fuel to the rivalry between two teams fighting for position in the standings. Alpine feels wronged by what they see as an inconsistent decision, while McLaren argues their appeal was about ensuring fairness for all penalized drivers. The situation also highlights a regulatory gap that allows different treatments.
With such serious accusations on the table, the FIA may need to review its processes to maintain trust in its judicial system. Briatore, known for his outspoken nature, is unlikely to back down, and this feud could continue beyond the track. One thing is certain: the Italian GP this year offered drama not just on the circuit but also in the press room.
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