Grapevine: McLaren invite the neighbours again

The Woking-based team had originally invited Super Aguri and Force India over for drinks at the Spanish Grand Prix when they were relegated to the bottom end of the pitlane for the first time.

But having been moved back up to fifth place in the pitlane standings after Formula One Management felt they should no longer be at the bottom, McLaren duly made sure to invite their new permanent neighbours Williams and Red Bull Racing over at their home race.

Around 20 Williams staff and 10 Red Bull Racing personnel visited the Brand Centre for drinks and cakes and a tour of McLaren's towering motorhome.

Matt Bishop, McLaren's Group Head of Communications and Public Relations, said: "The Williams and Red Bull teams are a great bunch of people, and it was a pleasure to be able to offer them a bit of Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Absolute Taste hospitality.

"Formula One people are a lot friendlier than we're often depicted, and today was an example of three teams chilling out together in a chummy and good-natured way."