McLaren says there is no quick fix for car problems

The Woking-based team has introduced at the Circuit de Catalunya a heavily revised car, which features a new front wing, rear wing, sidepods, tweaked rear suspension uprights and other minor changes.

Sporting director Sam Michael said that with the team believing there were numerous factors that had contributed to its current plight, there was no quick fix that would get it immediately back to the front.

"We finished sixth in the last race and six or seventh is where our car has been, so we don't expect to go from sixth to the front row straight away," said Michael.

"That is why we have managed expectation, so people don't think that is what we are claiming to do.

"We know the bits we have to work on, we know where our issues are and we know what is in the pipeline. It is going to take time."

He added: "A bit of everything. The biggest mistake you can make when you are under performing is to concentrate on one magic bullet because you won't find it.

"It comes from a package of changes and that is what we are working on.

"These are the times when you learn most about racing cars because you are investigating multiple areas and the feedback that you get from that is very valuable for the team."

Michael revealed that the changes introduced were not just about improving downforce, as he hinted about a new 'platform' for Jenson Button and Sergio Perez.

"Right now we have changed the way the platform works, and there are a lot of new parts coming [in the next races] based around that," he said.

"If you look at the philosophy we have had for the first few races then clearly it is not where we need to be. So we took a decision to change where we are operating a couple of months ago."