Revised McLaren Can Win Races, Says Dennis

McLaren-Mercedes boss Ron Dennis cautiously talked up his team's newly introduced MP4-19B car at Magny-Cours on Saturday when he insisted it has the potential to win races.

The team have struggled all season and can claim just 17 points from a possible 162 so far this season with their best race result a fifth place finish from Finn Kimi Raikkonen in Canada.

They pushed through a series of changes to the car with which they started the season, significant enough to designate the machine a 'B' car. The latest machine will make its race debut in Sunday's French Grand Prix.

The car made an instant impression when Scot David Coulthard's third place secured the team their best qualifying performance of the season. Dennis was encouraged by its apparently strong pace.

"It would be wrong to say we are going to win races, but it (the new car) has the potential for that," said Dennis. "Every race we are going to win but we don't do a cumulative approach. We are just trying to win, but I wouldn't put any outlook on the season.

"I would be delighted if we could win some races but it starts tomorrow before we think about the next races."

Dennis last tasted victory in Malaysia in March 2003 with Finn Kimi Raikkonen.

McLaren are currently fifth in the Championship, 125 points behind clear leaders Ferrari with Renault, BAR-Honda and Williams-BMW all also ahead.