A McLaren MP4-12C prototype has crashed at the Nürburgring while driving "flat out", but McLaren has denied it was attempting a lap record time.

Spectators at the German circuit describe the MP4-12C as driving "flat out" when it collided with the crash barriers. The car was then removed from the circuit by a recovery truck.

There have been rumours that McLaren was trying for a road car lap record at the Nürburgring. However, McLaren has strenuously denied this and a spokesman said: "This was all part of routine development. The car was there as part of ongoing tests and wasn't trying to set a benchmark time.

"At this point, we're not trying to set lap times but we're confident the car will be very fast around the Nürburgring."

McLaren has not said what caused the accident, but has confirmed the car has been returned to the company's Woking, UK base to establish what happened.

Alisdair Suttie - 26 May 2011