McLaren planning 'substantial' upgrade on car for Melbourne

McLaren aerodynamics chief Peter Prodromou had revealed that the team are planning a 'substantial' vehicle upgrade before the first Grand Prix of the season in Melbourne, despite the fact they are set to showcase their new livery design at the end of this week.

Prodromou has confessed that the current design, in terms of aero, will not be radically different to last season, but that McLaren are still working hard on improvements with the opening Grand Prix not taking place for another month.

"We have tried to develop the car as we have done for the last three years," said Prodromou.

"We've tried to develop it in an evolutionary fashion.

"You can expect to see something quite similar conceptually for launch, and then in truth we have spent the last two to three months focusing on a race one upgrade.

"That is where the major focus has been and still is - to try to deliver a decent upgrade both aerodynamically and mechanically and to put our best foot forward for Melbourne.

"We very much hope and expect that the car will feel from the off quite similar to how it felt at the end of last year and perform quite similarly Hopefully we've taken a step forwards and then we will try to do something a bit more substantial for Melbourne."

The expectations at McLaren have increased this season due to the fact they will be using Renault engines instead of Honda parts after three years devoid of success. They will once again have Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne behind the wheel.