FIA court of appeal refutes Flavio Briatore impartiality claims
BBC • • sports
Key Points:
- The FIA court of appeal has dismissed Alpine boss Flavio Briatore's claim that a judge in the case involving McLaren and Red Bull against Alpine had "links" with McLaren, affirming the independence and impartiality of its judges.
- The FIA emphasized that judges follow strict independence and confidentiality rules, disclose interests annually, and sign declarations of independence for each case; no objections were raised by parties during or after the hearing regarding court composition or proceedings.
- Briatore alleged the judge had ties to McLaren based on attendance at a 2018 charity auction involving McLaren cars, but admitted Alpine only became aware of this after the hearing, which the FIA rejected as unfair and unfounded.
- The court's decision reinstated a penalty on Alpine's Pierre Gasly from the Monaco Grand Prix, promoting several Red Bull and McLaren drivers in the standings, with McLaren strongly condemning Briatore's accusations as insulting and irresponsible.
- McLaren team principal Andrea Stella called the allegations serious and damaging to the team's reputation, insisting the International Court of Appeal conducted the hearing to the highest standards and should not be publicly questioned.
