Andrea Stella has leveled accusations at Alpine’s senior figure Flavio Briatore, alleging that the former team principal made "insulting" remarks toward McLaren by insinuating that a member of the FIA International Court of Appeal had a personal connection to the reigning constructors' champion. The controversy erupted after the appellate panel announced on Friday that the sanctions imposed on Alpine driver Pierre Gasly during the Monaco Grand Prix in June would be reinstated, following a successful challenge by McLaren and Red Bull. Gasly originally crossed the finish line in third place, but two five‑second penalties for exceeding the pit‑lane speed limit were applied after the race, dropping him down the order. Alpine exercised its right of review and succeeded in having those penalties rescinded five days later, temporarily restoring his podium finish.
However, the appeal court’s latest decision reverses that outcome, moving Gasly back to seventh in the official results. The adjustment promotes Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar to the final podium spot and lifts McLaren’s Oscar Piastri into fourth place.
During a heated press conference at the Italian Grand Prix weekend, which also featured Alpine’s advisory executive Flavio Briatore and McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, the two men clashed publicly. Alpine issued a brief statement moments after the court’s ruling, expressing disappointment with the outcome while also acknowledging the panel’s decision from the recent hearing in Paris. Briatore, speaking shortly thereafter, shifted the tone dramatically.
He suggested that one of the four judges on the panel had a "working relationship" with McLaren, calling the situation "very unfair" even though Alpine would accept the verdict. He singled out the third judge, describing the individual’s conduct as akin to a prosecutor’s and claiming the judge was "very linked with the McLaren company." Briatore referenced a 2018 charity event in California where the judge allegedly appeared alongside two of three McLaren cars, presenting a photo as evidence of the connection.
He argued that the judge’s perceived bias was unjust, especially given the judge’s reportedly harsh treatment of Alpine representatives during the hearing, and hinted that Alpine might consider legal action in response. The International Court of Appeal (ICA) issued a statement on Saturday morning, acknowledging public concerns about the independence and impartiality of its judges. The ICA emphasized that the selection and participation of judges follow FIA judicial procedures and adhere to the International Bar Association’s guidelines on conflicts of interest. All judges are elected by the FIA General Assembly, often upon nomination by a minimum of five F1 teams, and are bound by strict independence and confidentiality rules.
They file annual disclosures of interests, sign specific declarations of independence for each case, and are required to disclose any potential conflicts to the parties involved. According to the ICA, both at the start and conclusion of the hearing, the parties were invited to raise any issues regarding the composition of the panel or the conduct of the proceedings.
No objections were raised, and no party complained about the way witnesses were questioned. The ICA also highlighted the importance of assembling panels with judges from diverse cultural and geographic backgrounds to ensure a broad range of legal traditions and perspectives, thereby strengthening the fairness and credibility of the process. The statement concluded by affirming the court’s confidence in the integrity of its proceedings and the independence of its judges, reiterating the FIA’s commitment to an impartial judicial system.
Sky Sports reported that McLaren maintains there is no link between the team and the judge in question. Stella initially refrained from responding to Briatore’s allegations but later warned that such accusations could have legal repercussions. He described the press conference as "insulting" to McLaren and to the reputation of a team that deserves respect. He warned that anyone making serious, unfounded claims in a public forum must be prepared to take responsibility for their words.
Stella also stressed that the hearing before the International Court of Appeal was conducted to the highest standards and should not be questioned. Throughout the dispute, Stella has argued that McLaren’s primary motive was to clarify the sporting regulations for the benefit of the sport, not merely to gain two championship points for Oscar Piastri, who is not a title contender this season. He noted that the two points in question would not have altered the championship outcome, but the principle of sporting fairness and consistency was at stake.
He explained that the concerns extended beyond a simple points loss. The focus was on ensuring equitable application of the rules across all teams, a matter that affects the entire grid.
"Not only Red Bull raised concerns, but every team was represented at the hearing because it was a pivotal moment for clarifying how we interpret and enforce the regulations," Stella said. He added that consistency in rule enforcement is essential for maintaining the integrity of race weekends and for providing a level playing field for all competitors. Alpine’s right‑of‑review case succeeded because the team presented new evidence that the stewards had originally miscalculated the distance traveled in the pit lane, proving that Gasly had not actually exceeded the speed limit.
This new element was deemed "significant and relevant," prompting the reversal of the penalties. Other drivers—Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes’ George Russell (whose penalty was later converted to a drive‑through) and McLaren’s Piastri—had also been penalised for speeding, but their sanctions were served during the race and could not be retroactively altered.
The broader context of the weekend includes a packed schedule of support series and qualifying sessions at Monza, with Formula 3 sprint races, Formula 2 events, and the Porsche Supercup all leading up to the main Grand Prix. The Italian Grand Prix, a marquee home race for Ferrari, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming options available via NOW for viewers without a contract.
In summary, the dispute centers on allegations of judicial bias, the procedural integrity of the FIA’s appellate system, and the broader principle of consistent rule enforcement in Formula One. While Alpine contends that a judge’s alleged connection to McLaren undermines impartiality, the ICA maintains that all protocols were followed and that the judges acted independently. McLaren, for its part, insists there is no conflict of interest and that the appeal process was fair.
The episode underscores the high stakes and intense scrutiny that accompany regulatory decisions in the sport, where even a few points can trigger extensive legal and public relations battles, but where the ultimate goal remains the preservation of a fair and transparent competition for all teams involved.