Briatore makes explosive McLaren allegations after FIA Monaco verdict

Earlier on Friday, the FIA International Court of Appeal delivered its verdict on the case surrounding Pierre Gasly’s Monaco Grand Prix penalties, reinstating the sanctions originally imposed on the Alpine driver. As a consequence of the revised final classification, Isack Hadjar was promoted to third place, handing the Frenchman his first Red Bull podium finish.

Speaking at the press conference in Monza, Briatore made clear his dissatisfaction with the outcome of the case, describing the decision as unfair while stressing that Alpine nevertheless accepted it. His concerns centred particularly on one of the four judges on the panel, whom he accused of behaving like a prosecutor during the proceedings.

The Alpine Executive Advisor went further by questioning the judge’s alleged connections to McLaren, pointing to his presence at an MSO Beverly Hills event in 2018 and his involvement with the One Drop Foundation, which Briatore claimed had received two or three cars from McLaren. In his view, those links raised questions over the fairness of having that judge involved in a case concerning a protest from the Woking-based team.

Briatore subsequently continued his accusations, reiterating his belief that it was unfair for a judge whom he claimed had links to McLaren to be involved in the case. He identified the judge as Filippo Marchino and argued that judges should be completely independent, while accusing Marchino of behaving like a prosecutor and being particularly hostile during the hearing.

Briatore again pointed to what he described as connections with McLaren, including speeches given for the company and the use of McLaren cars for charity, as the basis for his concerns over the judge’s independence.

“What is unfair is some judge was linked with the McLaren. This is unfair (because) the judge normally (has to) be independent completely and this judge - the name is kind of Italian name - is American, Filippo Marchino, was very nasty during the hearing. (He) was acting as a prosecutor and after we come down to... what is the reason why (he was) so nasty? He's very linked with McLaren.”