McLaren says 2014 Formula 1 season about 'regrowth' after tough '13

After a disappointing campaign last year, where it failed to score a podium finish, the Woking-based outfit is not making any bold predictions about its form for the season ahead.

However, the team believes that the restructuring that is currently being implemented by Group CEO Ron Dennis has put it well on its way to recovery.

McLaren is poised to appoint Eric Boullier as its new team principal before the start of the campaign after his departure from Lotus, and has bolstered its technical staff with the high profile signings of Peter Prodromou and Dan Fallows from Red Bull, and ex-Lotus men Ettore Griffini and Ciaron Pilbeam.

'FUTURE BRIGHT'

Sporting director Sam Michael said: "We've made no secret of our disappointment at how the 2013 season turned out.

"The aim now is to get back to winning - that's what McLaren exists to do.

"But there's a certain amount of growth and regrowth that needs to take place before we return to a position where we can challenge for the world championship.

"The good thing is that we've acknowledged that, and we've actually been working towards that goal for many months now.

"We have Honda waiting in the wings, we have a number of key technical staff bolstering our existing design and engineering teams, and we are fostering the careers of our young drivers, all of whom have an incredible amount of potential.

"The future for McLaren is bright, and we're now putting in place the processes that will move us closer to our goals."

Michael suggested that the 2014 F1 campaign will be about a rapid development of its new MP4-29 - and that the form book over the season is likely to shift around dramatically.

Managing director Jonathan Neale added: "It will be all about a team's ability to react and respond.

"We already have an update package that we're readying for race one, and we're discovering new things in the 'tunnel, or in CFD, all the time.

"Once we start track testing, I think you'll see an intense throughput of ideas and concepts - that's the nitty-gritty that will win or lose the world championship."