McLaren plays down significance of momentum despite hat-trick of victories

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh thinks that with little separating the main title contenders there is still a need for his outfit to keep improving its car.

"Three wins and three poles on three different circuits: in yesteryear you would have said that is momentum and we will steam roller our way through," said Whitmarsh.

"But sadly it is not quite that easy now. I would be foolish to say we are on our way.

"We are second in both championships. We have good momentum, we are going to keep trying, and we are going to keep pushing. But anything can happen."

McLaren's run of form has been strong since it introduced a major car update at the German Grand Prix, and further developments since then - including revised sidepods and the low-downforce rear wing at Spa - have helped it maintain an edge.

But with F1 teams now heading to different types of circuits, Whitmarsh is well aware that his outfit needs to ensure its car performs well on high downforce tracks too.

"Ferrari were really quick here [at Monza]. Mercedes were quick, but Red Bull had a bad day. It is a great season, fantastic, but if we don't improve our car enough for Singapore then the tables will turn.

"So the pressure is on. We believe we have some decent upgrades coming through for Singapore, but I am not predicting anything.

"It is a great, great championship. But anyone who thinks the championship was over must leave here recognising it isn't. Fernando is very good at salvaging points out of whatever the situation and that is what makes him tough to beat."