By Jonathan Noble Thursday, July 5th 2007, 17:38 GMT
Not satisfied with Formula One's biggest and most spectacular factory, McLaren have ensured their presence is equally sizeable in the paddock with their spectacular new 'Brand Centre' motorhome.
Unveiled at Silverstone on Thursday, the motorhome has dominated paddock chatter on the first day of the British Grand Prix and shows the team take their quest to be the best as serious off track as on it.
Towering three stories high, with a reflective-glass facade, the motorhome has left team boss Ron Dennis immensely proud as their former 'Communications Centre' was sent off into retirement.
The Brand Centre has an open-floor on the ground level, offices on the second floor and a special gallery for guests on the top.
McLaren have also pulled off a coup by getting Bernie Ecclestone to agree to allow them to host evening functions on the top floor for team guests.
The structure takes 48 hours to erect and, with it also taking two days to take down, it ensures a pretty tight schedule for the back-to-back European races. It is shipped to races on the back of 12 articulated lorries.
The drivers have also not been forgotten, with Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso getting special rooms with games consoles, showers, and MP3-docking stations.
But there were a few wry smiles around the Brand Centre launch on Thursday afternoon when, in a week dominated by 'Stepneygate', McLaren's white wine of choice was....Spy Valley.
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