McLaren plan major upgrade for France

With Hamilton eight points clear at the top of the drivers' championship, and McLaren 28 points ahead of Ferrari in the constructors', the team are determined not to ease off their aggressive development programme.

And, after expressing some surprise at being more competitive than they anticipated in the Canadian Grand Prix, McLaren believe a good showing in Indianapolis this weekend will bode well for their chances for the remainder of the year.

"We saw these races (Canada and Indy) as two challenges, and we have been able to do a good job here," said McLaren's F1 CEO Whitmarsh. "If we can do a good job in Indianapolis then I think we will keep pushing for the championship.

"We have now been quick at a variety of events and we believe we can be strong in the future - particularly in France and Silverstone.

"We have got a pretty decent upgrade coming in France and we wanted to come out of North America hopefully still leading, but I think it was clear from last Friday morning that we should be aspiring to increase our lead in the world championship - which is what we have done."

Despite his optimism about the job McLaren can do over the next few races, Whitmarsh is not ruling out a swift response from Ferrari, or further improvements from BMW Sauber that could open up the title fight again.

"Ferrari are a good team. They will not sit back and make it easy for us. And BMW are pushing hard," he added.

"I would not underestimate Ferrari. They have got two good drivers and they are a strong team. If you say, who do we fear the most? It would still be Ferrari but we have got a respect for what BMW are doing."