Wasn't it Rolls-Royce that claimed; 'if you have to ask the price you cannot afford it'?

Anyway, in these tough financial times one would think that only the super-rich, or the seriously fanatic McLaren/Hamilton/Kovalainen supporter, will be rushing out to purchase the latest release from our friends at Amalgam.

However, the fact is that many are now coming to realise that much like the works of art that these models are, they also have more chance of appreciating in value than shares - certainly in the current financial climate.

Amalgam has this week unveiled this stunningly detailed, entirely hand made, limited edition model of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-23 in which Lewis Hamilton took the chequered flag at the 2008 Monaco Grand Prix in treacherous conditions. A Heikki Kovalainen version is also available.

This superb item of F1 memorabilia, a true work of art, retails at £2,750.00

At a time when there are increasing claims of Ferrari-bias at the FIA - and reflecting on his recent TV interview with the BBC - perhaps Max Mosley might be persuaded to break into the money awarded in his case against the News of the World and purchase one of these, in order that it can be placed alongside the Ferrari in the background.

Just a thought.

Anyway, for further information, please contact Amalgam via their website at amalgamcollection.com.