Kevin Magnussen: 2015 McLaren Formula 1 car addresses 2014 problems

The Dane was drafted in for the penultimate day of pre-season F1 testing at Barcelona on Saturday after Fernando Alonso was forced to stay at home on medical grounds following his recent crash.

Although he only managed 39 laps before being stopped by an oil leak, Magnussen said he had felt enough to know that the MP4-30 had great potential.

"The first feeling, on low-ish fuel, was very good and very consistent," he said. "It was very stable with no surprises.

"Last year's car was a bit more unpredictable, and it is nice to see the work we did last year and the direction we wanted to go has definitely proved to be right for this car.

"We don't know for sure yet but it feels right, and that is nice to see."

Magnussen said the 2015 car's handling felt totally different to how last year's MP4-29 behaved.

"It definitely feels like a completely different car," he said. "It does not feel related to last year's car. It is not an evolution of last year's car, it feels completely different.

"It is very consistent, very predictable, and very smooth in a way. Just driveable.

"Whereas last year's car probably had more downforce, it was much more sharp, on the limit and unpredictable in a way.

"On many occasions that was a problem, because when you wear out your tyres and the rear starts to move around more you want a predictable car.

"The front end of last year's car was much less predictable and sharp. This year's car is more smooth and predictable and driveable.

"There is some way to go yet because it is a completely new idea and a completely new car. But it is a very good base and, for me, it is going to be a good car, maybe a bit later in the season."

HONDA ENGINE 'SMOOTH'

Magnussen was also happy with the power delivery of the new Honda engine too - something that Jenson Button has also singled out for praise.

"I was quite surprised about the torque delivery and upshifts," he said. "Although there is still some way to go, I was surprised how smooth it was.

"Honda is completely new with this type of power unit now in F1, so I was quite surprised how well they have done in that short time they have had.

"We still need the reliability to improve before the first race, which I am sure they will. But I am pleasantly surprised how smooth it all is."

McLaren's tough build-up continued on Sunday morning when the need for what it described as systems checks kept Button in the garage through the opening hours.