A public dispute has emerged between McLaren and Alpine ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, centered on a recent FIA court of appeal decision. The court ruled in favor of appeals filed by McLaren and Red Bull concerning the results of the Monaco Grand Prix, which had been impacted by incorrect pit lane speeding penalties.

Following the announcement, Alpine executive adviser Flavio Briatore publicly alleged that McLaren had exerted improper influence over the FIA’s judicial process. These comments prompted a sharp rebuttal from McLaren team principal Andrea Stella, who characterized the accusations as both unfounded and insulting to the integrity of the sport’s governing body.

The disagreement highlights ongoing friction regarding the transparency and fairness of FIA regulatory decisions. While the court’s ruling officially addresses the technical errors made during the Monaco event, the fallout has shifted the focus toward the political dynamics between the teams. Briatore’s comments suggest a belief that larger teams may be manipulating the appeals process, whereas Stella maintains that the court’s decision was a matter of correcting factual errors in officiating. As of now, the FIA has not issued a formal response to the allegations of bias raised by the Alpine executive.