We can win, says Dennis

Dennis points to the new McLaren, the MP4-19B, as a "significant step" towards the top step of the grand prix podium, but admits that risks are being taken to get there - the kind of which put David Coulthard to the back of the European Grand Prix grid after an engine failure.

"We're getting better and better, but to climb you have to take some risks, because we're here to win," said Dennis after qualifying at the Nurburgring on Saturday. "It's all part of getting to the front again, and our target is to win races this year. The team is focused on the technical challenge, and we should see a good step, a significant development, with the B car."

The 19B is due to test for the first time at Silverstone next week, and has passed the mandatory crash tests to allow a mid-season race introduction.

McLaren's technical director, Adrian Newey, told Autosport: "In terms of lap times the simulation says the benefits should be significant, but I would rather not go further than that at the moment."