Some top shelf ambush marketing at the F1 Grand Prix

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McLaren has denied flying Mexican flags bearing images of marijuana leafs above the team's official merchandise stall at the 2013 US grand prix.

AUSTIN, Texas – McLaren has denied deliberately placing Mexican flags bearing images of marijuana leafs above the team's official merchandise stall in Austin.

At the first race since it emerged that Mexican Sergio Perez has been dropped by the team for 2014 the Mexican consulate reportedly complained about "several" offensive flags at the track store.

'MCLAREN WOULD NEVER DO THAT'

The Spanish newspaper AS quoted a Mexican official as saying the country was "profoundly disturbed" by the images.

McLaren said: "The flags were neither manufactured nor authorised by McLaren. As soon as we understood the nature of the issue we ordered the flags be removed.

"We understand that embarrassment and offence has been caused and we regret that the agents and sub-contractors caused such a situation to arise."

Perez defended the British team, telling his Twitter followers: "McLaren would never do something like that."

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