McLaren hold crisis meeting in France

Rumours of discontent and staff revolt behind the scenes at McLaren have been reported over the past few weeks, with employees reportedly unhappy at the direction of the Formula One team as well as the "toxic" atmosphere, so bosses held crisis talks to try and rally the troops in France over the weekend.

One anonymous source told the Daily Mail last week that senior management figures such as Eric Boullier and Zak Brown commanded no respect within the ranks and, more bizarrely, staff members have been regularly rewarded with Freddo chocolate bars for their efforts - often after spending day and night working in the factory.

Boullier and Brown, in particular, have played down the level of problems in the team, but driver Stoffel Vandoorne has revealed the team did hold a meeting in the McLaren motorhome with every member of staff during the festivities of the French GP.

"I can't tell you exactly what was said, but there was a little word of encouragement for the whole team," Vandoorne told Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

"All the staff were there. It's difficult times for us, but everyone is pushing and we hope it gets better soon."

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The talks did not have an immediate positive impact on the track as Fernando Alonso was forced into retirement, while Vandoorne finished out of the points in 13th.

Alonso says he would always rather he was involved, even if it was battling at the back of the grid, rather than not competing at all.

"No, I prefer to be here," insisted the two-time F1 champion

"I am one of 20 drivers doing the best job in the world. It's true we have not been very competitive, but we are here working, doing something, trying.

"It's true we were very, very bad, but I'm seventh or eighth in the championship so I must be doing something."

"I trust the team," he added.

"We were very uncompetitive this weekend, but I know that new things are coming for the next races."