McLaren believe they will be fighting with the current pack of front-runners, minus Mercedes, come the final few races of the season thanks to a major upgrade package.
The Woking team has been struggling to keep up with its rivals and only recently surpassed Force India in the constructors’ standings to claim fifth.
Whilst they’re unlikely to move any higher – Williams have a 45 point advantage whilst Ferrari and Red Bull are 55 and 149 ahead respectively – they believe they will be fighting them on track.
“It is true that getting in front of Force India was a short-term target, but it is not the final ambition,” said racing director Eric Boullier during a McLaren phone-in.
“I do feel comfortable and confident about a stronger end of season than beginning.
“Our car is working decently on low downforce tracks like Spa and [hopefully] Monza, but from Singapore we will have another big upgrade on the car which I hope will deliver all that is promised.
“We should have another couple of updates before the end of the season which should clear us definitely from Force India, but also fighting in the middle of Ferrari and Williams, and Red Bull maybe.
“I have no idea if we’ll get another podium before the end of the season but if we do our job properly then maybe.”
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