Briatore launches explosive row with McLaren over Gasly appeal judge

Flavio Briatore has ignited a fresh firestorm by questioning the impartiality of an International Court of Appeal judge who helped strip Pierre Gasly of his Monaco Grand Prix podium, alleging the judge has close ties to McLaren.

Why it matters:

The row raises serious questions about the fairness of F1's judicial process and could further strain relations between teams. It also puts the spotlight on how appeals are conducted, with Alpine suggesting a conflict of interest that McLaren strongly denies.

The details:

• Briatore claims judge Filippo Marchino acted as a prosecutor during the August hearing, not a neutral arbiter.
• He alleges Marchino has links to McLaren, including a photo from a 2018 McLaren event and a foundation that received two or three McLaren cars.
• Marchino is an experienced US trial attorney who was elected to the FIA court in December 2023.
• McLaren team principal Andrea Stella called the allegations "insulting" and said the hearing was conducted to the highest standards.
• Briatore insists Alpine accepts the decision but is "thinking about what we do next."

What's next:

Alpine has not confirmed any further legal action, but Briatore's comments suggest the team is weighing its options. The controversy is unlikely to die down quickly, with McLaren demanding accountability for the accusations.