A statement to back up its judges
The FIA’s International Court of Appeal broke its silence during the day. The body issued a statement after Flavio Briatore, Alpine’s boss, accused it of bias at Friday’s team principals’ press conference in Monza.
The text defends the make-up of the panel that ruled on case ICA-2026-06-07-08-09. The FIA says the judges are appointed under internal judicial procedures, guided by the IBA principles on conflicts of interest in international arbitration.
The statement adds that judges are elected by FIA general assemblies, with some chosen on the recommendation of a group of at least five Formula 1 teams. Each one signs a case-specific independence declaration and files an annual interests declaration with the compliance officer.
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A look back at the Monaco case
The row goes back to the Monaco Grand Prix. A pit-lane technical issue led to time penalties for speeding being handed out to several drivers. Pierre Gasly, though, never served his penalty in the race, which allowed Alpine to secure a review and have the added time wiped out, restoring his podium.
McLaren and Red Bull challenged the decision, calling it unfair on the drivers who had served their penalties on track. The appeal court sided with them and reinstated the sanction. Gasly was dropped to seventh, while Isack Hadjar got third back.
Alpine then put out a statement saying it disagreed with the ruling but accepted it. Briatore, however, went much further.
McLaren calls it an “insulting” insinuation
The Italian executive took aim at judge Filippo Marchino, accusing him of having links with McLaren. He points to an event held in 2018, where McLaren Special Operations supplied cars, and to a photo of the judge posing with a McLaren.
There is a basic flaw in that argument: McLaren Special Operations is the road-car arm of the manufacturer and has no connection to the Formula 1 team. Speaking at the same press conference, Andrea Stella called the insinuation insulting.
The FIA also makes a factual point: both sides were invited to challenge the court’s make-up at the start and at the end of the hearing. Neither did.
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