"Presently, MP4-21 is scheduled to go on track mid-late January, however as always this is subject to change as we finalize the baseline specification", Neale told F1.com

"Our key focus has been engine development and cooling systems work as we lost many races last season due to failures in those parts, alongside significant tyre evaluation with Michelin, with reference the change back from tyres that run a race distance to tyres that operate for a series of short sprints", the Brit added.

McLaren lost the constructors championship last season to Renault in the last race in China after a Juan Pablo Montoya engine failure.

The new season will start on March 10th in Bahrain.