But are we really surprised by this Italian’s
panache for Controversy?
Once again, the man knowing no boundaries for
controversy, HMS Monogram, aka Flavor Flav, nee Flavio Briatore is making waves
again…
Recently, in the long running kerfuffle over
the outcome of this year’s Monaco Grand Prix, with Alpine having first
successfully appealed Alpine F1 driver Pierre Gasly being stripped of third
place. Subsequent appeal by rival Formula 1 teams McLaren and Red Bull saw
Gasly’s reinstatement overruled prior to this year’s Italian Grand Prix.
The row centers over Gasly having had two five
second time penalties for speeding in pitlane overturned on appeal by Alpine,
being the only team to do so, albeit multiple teams were handed speeding
penalties, regardless of apparent technical issues with monitoring equipment…
The ever colourful Briatore, best known for
incurring a lifetime ban from F1 over Renault’s infamous Crashgate, before
being overturned. Extraordinarily accused one of the FIA’s International Court
of Appeals (ICA) judges of being “very linked” to McLaren.
Stating we have a very nice photo of American
judge Filippo Marchino speaking at a McLaren Special Operations (MSO) function in
Beverly Hills, California while holding up a picture. And then claiming that
McLaren had given two, or three McLaren cars to His foundation.
Naturally, McLaren team principal Andrea Stella
seated next to Briatore during the FIA press conference found Briatore’s
accusatory comments inflammatory and totally denied such nonsense!
While subsequently, the ICA has hit out at Briatore’s
accusations by saying it was very odd that Alpine hadn’t raised such
allegations twice during the initial appeals process.
FIA
Court says Alpine raise no objections to Appeals panel list
With the ICA having overruled Alpine’s appeal,
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was reinstated as finishing third at Monaco, with Gasly
dropping to seventh. A swing of nine points. With Alpine being sixth in the F1
Constructors Championship as of the Italian Grand Prix with 62 points, 13
behind now fifth place Racing Bulls with 75.
F1
Points standings after Monaco ruling – Alpine loses out
On a happier note, Pierre Gasly scored a shock,
maiden F1 pole at Monza on His 189th Grand Prix start! The second longest
streak for starts before a first pole. Surpassed only by Sergio Perez’s maiden
pole on His 215th start at Jeddah in 2022, then driving for Red Bull.
Yet Gasly was swiftly overtaken by front row
starter George Russell in the superior Mercedes and ultimately faded to seventh
by race’s end.
The pole position at Monza’s renown “Temple of
speed” was also Alpine’s debutante pole, in the guise of its latest team name.
Since “Team Enstone” has a long, glorious and controversial history. Having won
four F1 Drivers titles and three F1 Constructors crowns as Benetton and Renault,
all under Briatore’s leadership.
Gasly was ranked 10th in the drivers’ standings
following Monza with 41 points. His best finish being sixth at Shanghai
International circuit. (China) With a total of eight top-10 finishes. (As of
Round 13)
Teammate Franco Colapinto was 12th with 21
points. Also, with a best finish of sixth at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
(Montreal) With a total of seven top-10 finishes. (As of Round 13)
As Colapinto finished seventh at the new Madring circuit at Madrid a week later, with Gasly P12. Where thankfully, HMS Monogram’, (Briatore) kept his “Piehole” shut! And hopefully will just let the Monaco ruling stand and move along without stirring the pot any further this season…
