Briatore Accuses FIA Judge of Bias in McLaren Case

Flavio Briatore has accused a judge from the FIA's International Court of Appeal of bias towards McLaren during a press conference following a ruling on penalties affecting Alpine driver Pierre Hamilton. The court had accepted appeals against a decision that demoted Hamilton from third to seventh place due to two penalties.

Briatore expressed his concerns about the judge's impartiality, citing a past connection to McLaren, including a public appearance in 2018. He criticized the judge's conduct during the hearing, describing him as acting like a prosecutor rather than an impartial adjudicator. In response, McLaren's Andrea Stella defended the integrity of the court's decision and emphasized the importance of clarity in the application of FIA rules.

The situation has raised questions about the independence of judges in motorsport hearings, with Briatore indicating that further actions might be considered. The controversy highlights ongoing discussions about fairness and consistency in the enforcement of racing regulations.