Apr.19 (GMM) McLaren threw Lewis Hamilton out of its garage during one of February's winter tests, the 2008 world champion claims.

Briton Hamilton, 28, rose through the junior ranks with the famous British team's backing, made his debut for McLaren in 2007 and won all of his 21 wins and his title with the Woking based squad.

But over the winter, he switched camps to Mercedes.

In a bid to keep his McLaren relationship alive, however, Hamilton said he tried to visit his old friends at Jerez on February, during the winter test period.

"I went to see them (McLaren) in Australia," he told F1's official website.

"But I also tried to see them in Jerez, at the test, and there (sporting director) Sam Michael threw me out of the garage.

"That wasn't very positive and I don't feel very good about that."

Hamilton is believed to have fallen out badly with former mentor and McLaren supremo Ron Dennis, but he says his relationship with Martin Whitmarsh is intact.

"Martin has been great," he said, "and I have to say that I haven't had enough contact, so I will give Martin a call."