A season that started in spectacular fashion for McLaren with a lavish launch in Valencia in January has endured the most remarkable twists and turns.

It hit a new low when the World Motor Sport Council fined the team 100 million dollars (£49.2million) and docked them all their points in the constructors' championship as a result of the Formula One spy scandal.

Here, we chart what has so far been one of the most dramatic seasons in Formula One history for any team.

Mar 18: Lewis Hamilton debuts with a superb third place in the season- opening Australian Grand Prix, with Alonso second behind Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Apr 8: Alonso secures his first win for the team, and McLaren's first since the Japanese Grand Prix in October 2005, leading home Hamilton in a one-two finish in Malaysia.

May 27: Another one-two, but this time in far more controversial circumstances in Monaco, with a charging Hamilton unhappy at being told to back off of Alonso. The Briton famously said: "I've number two on my car and I am the number two driver."

May 28: The FIA launch investigation into the result suspecting team orders - banned by the governing body - may have come into play but later clear McLaren.

Jun 10: The furore is forgotten as Hamilton wins his first race from pole position in an incident-strewn Canadian Grand Prix.

Jun 11: A disgruntled Alonso accuses the team of favouring Hamilton, claiming he is "a British driver in a British team".

Jun 17: Hamilton wins from pole again, with an unhappy Alonso second as he was seen darting across to the pit wall and shaking his fist at the team for apparently being held up by his rival.

Jul 3: McLaren suspend a senior member of staff - later known to be chief designer Mike Coughlan - after he becomes "the subject of a Ferrari investigation regarding the receipt of technical information".

Jul 7: Hamilton sets Silverstone alight by qualifying on pole, but is unable to follow up with victory the following day as he comes home third.