When McLaren was punished for its role in the spy saga last year, along with the £100m fine and the deduction of all Constructors' Championship points, was the added embarrassment of being demoted to the 'poor' end of the pitlane.

The Woking team, winners of countless titles, was to be moved down to the end of the pitlane populated by Force India and Super Aguri, which in addition to the obvious lack of prestige, meant the team would have less space not only to work in but in which to entertain its numerous guests.

In the first two rounds, in Melbourne and Sepang, the Woking team, while not at the prestigious end of the pitlane with Ferrari, was at least halfway down, a sort of compromise. However, in Bahrain next weekend the British team will have to work out of garages 33-35, at the very end of the pitlane.

Organizers at the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) have said that they were fully prepared for McLaren to have the fifth set of garages this weekend, but were forced to make a late change to the Woking outfit's location by Formula One Management. Consequently, Lewis and Heikki's neighbours will be the guys from Force India.

The move is particularly bad news for fans of the British team who had booked seats in the main grandstand opposite their heroes.

"In Bahrain we do our utmost to ensure that fans of each team get to sit opposite their favourite team's pit garages to see the action unfold," said BIC chief operating officer Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa. "Sadly on this occasion, we must apologise to McLaren fans and accept that this is force majeure."