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The Woking-based squad fully accepts that its current infrastructure puts it on the back foot against bigger squads like Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
However, there are hopes that the addition of major new investments in a wind tunnel and simulator, which are due to be ready next year, will have a big impact in pushing it forwards.
Until that happens though, McLaren is aware that doing much better than the fifth place it finished in this year’s constructors’ championship will be a tall order.
However, team principal Andreas Seidl says that does not mean the team is ready to simply sit back and wait until it can make a bigger step.
Instead, he believes McLaren has scope to lift its game and put itself in the best place possible to capitalise on opportunities that come its way.
“The objective is clear also next year, we want to make another step again in all areas of the team,” he said.
“That’s not just with the car itself, including some of the weaknesses we’ve seen this year, but also with just simply making another step as a team in all aspects.
“At the same time, I have a realistic view on where we are right now …