Monza Team Principals’ press conference resulted more hectic than anyone could expect. A heated exchange between Alpine Team Principal Flavio Briatore and McLaren boss Andrea Stella erupted during the Team Principals’ press conference at Monza, with Stella threatening legal action.

The confrontation centred on the penalty handed to Alpine driver Pierre Gasly, which was confirmed again today, three months after the Monaco Grand Prix and stripped him of his podium finish.
The ruling was issued by the FIA International Court of Appeal following an appeal by Red Bull, which consequently retained the third-place finish with Isack Hadjar, as well as by McLaren.

“We accept the verdict, but we do not accept that one of the judges was not independent, and we are asking why he had a relationship with McLaren,” Briatore said, referring to FIA appeal court judge Filippo Marchino.
Briatore’s allegation relates to a photograph connected to a charity initiative in 2018, in which, according to his account, Marchino appeared alongside a McLaren car.

“A judge should be completely independent,” Briatore added. “This judge was linked to the team that was taking action against us. I don’t think that is right for the sport.”
McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella strongly rejected the allegations and warned that the team could take legal action.
“I believe that this press conference, taking this direction, is rather offensive towards McLaren,” Stella said.
“For the reputation of a team that deserves great respect, if someone makes allegations that appear to be quite serious, they will have to take responsibility for what they say in a public forum.”

The exchange added another layer of tension to an already controversial dispute surrounding Gasly’s Monaco podium and the FIA’s appeal process.