British GP: Both Alonso and Button get full McLaren F1 upgrade spec

Alonso ran the new package in Austria, as there were only enough parts for one car, but his McLaren was heavily damaged when he collided with Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen on the first lap at the Red Bull Ring.

The team was able to fly some spares out for the post-Austrian GP test and now have a new nose, front wing, floor and rear wing available for both cars for Silverstone.

While Alonso concedes the next few races will be tough, with his aim this weekend is to get to the finish following four retirements, the Spaniard is expecting a "completely different" car after the summer break.

"First if we can finish the race, because after four retirements in my case I would like to see the chequered flag if possible," he said.

"If we do so, I think to see how competitive we are is an answer that we need to get this weekend.

"The important thing is not to get frustrated, keep working in the same direction, I think the second part of the year will show a completely different McLaren, much more competitive.

"The project for next year is the second year, so everything will be different.

"The steps that are coming are quite big. This is not too difficult when you are at the back of the grid.

"Every step you take is half a second, or eight tenths. When you are fighting for the podium, you gain one tenth every two weeks.

"I think we will get much closer to the top guys in the second half of the championship and for next year as well."

Both drivers have changed their engines after Alonso suffered damage in the Austria crash and Button's power unit had a sensor issue.

However, both are using older units so there will be no penalties but AUTOSPORT understands McLaren will do limited mileage in Friday practice as a result.

Alonso said McLaren has been in talks with the FIA to see if the team can avoid penalties for making changes to the engine as a result of damage from a collision.

"The engine is the toughest thing because obviously we put a new engine in and paid the penalty in Austria and then we lose the engine and the gearbox in the accident," he said.

"So they have some talks with the FIA, the team, to try to find some common sense and hopefully we found a solution for this loss."