These spectacular hedges cut like a Formula1 car and pit lane mechanics will set the hearts of any motoring fan racing.
Gardeners at the Williams F1 headquarters spend hours every month trimming their topiary – which is positioned in a gravel trap.
The 11ft long car is made from six plants and each 6ft high mechanic is made from two.
Green machine: The grounds of the Williams F1 headquarters in Oxfordshire feature this hedge which has been trimmed into the shape of a Formula 1 car
Visitors to the HQ in Grove, near Didcot, Oxfordshire, are stunned by the work, which shows the mechanics changing the car’s wheels during a pit stop.
An Italian nursery made the model for Ferrari but Williams bought it and had the shape of the car changed to reflect their own car design.
It took two-and-a-half years for the plants to weave around their metal frames and they are now completely covered.
Tim Lightfoot, facilities manager at Williams, said visitors were always impressed by the work.
He said: ‘Our gardeners trim the plants into shape by hand and take a great deal of care doing it.
Finely trimmed: The hedge was made in an Italian nursery and was later trimmed to Formula 1’s specification
‘It is hard work but the result is really impressive.
‘The topiary has pride of place outside our conference centre and is popular with the many people who visit us each year.
‘Many guests are shocked by the size of it.
‘We often have people trying to sit in it but it’s not a very comfortable drive. It doesn’t go very fast either.’
Williams-Toyota are currently sixth in the Formula1 constructors’ championship on 30.5 points.
Driver Nico Rosberg has secured all their points and lies in sixth place in the drivers’ championship. Kazuki Nakajima is yet to score this season.
What would happen if not the fastest but the greenest car would win the Formula 1?
Please write your comment…
