McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has rejected Flavio Briatore’s allegations about the impartiality of the hearing process that reviewed the Monaco Grand Prix results, calling the claims insulting to the Formula 1 team’s reputation.
Gasly had crossed the line in third place, but Alpine successfully appealed the sanction after raising concerns about the timing loops in the Monaco pit lane. McLaren and Red Bull then lodged their protest, triggering a process that continued for several months before the ruling was delivered this week.
Briatore subsequently questioned the panel’s independence, singling out judge Filippo Marchino. He described Marchino as “nasty” and claimed he had ties to McLaren through the McLaren Special Operations division.
Stella strongly rejected the suggestion that the judge had acted with a bias towards McLaren.
“I find that this conference, going in this direction, is quite insulting for McLaren,” Stella told media including RacingNews365. “For the reputation of a team that deserves a lot of respect and if anybody makes those kind of allegations, which seem quite serious, they are going to have to take the responsibility for what they are saying in a public forum.”
Stella also defended the standard of the proceedings, insisting the hearing had been conducted properly and should not be undermined by public accusations.
“The hearing, the whole International Court of Appeal was conducted to the highest standards, and we should not question this phase like it's been done,” he said.
The ruling reinstated Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar to the podium and moved McLaren’s Oscar Piastri up to fourth place. While the outcome delivered a points benefit for McLaren, Stella said the appeal had been about more than the potential loss of two championship points.
“It's a decision that we definitely welcome,” he said. “It's important because, first of all, it adds clarity in relation to the application of Article 1.1.1 of the International Sporting Code which is foundational.”
Stella said McLaren’s concerns centred on sporting quality, fairness and consistency. He added that all teams had been present at the hearing because the case was significant for how the rules are applied and how consistent methodologies remain throughout a race weekend.
Simone Scanu
He’s a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
