McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier says the team's improved performance in Singapore Grand Prix qualifying highlights what they can achieve with "the merest sniff of a competitive package".

On one of few circuits where the team don't suffer too much from their horsepower deficit, both McLaren cars made the most of it by getting into the top 10 shootout.

And Boullier would hail the efforts of Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne, who will line-up eighth and ninth respectively, and reveal the team is targeting a good haul of points in Sunday's race.

"This is a track that we knew would play to the strengths of our package, so it was pleasing to see our drivers pushing the limits right up at the sharp end of the field," he said.

“Getting two cars into the top 10 today sets us up well for what is always a difficult, demanding and unpredictable race. 

"We hope to come away from it tomorrow with more valuable world championship points. Fernando and Stoffel have both driven outstandingly well all weekend, and it was a joy to watch them attacking this difficult and uncompromising street circuit.

"It’s days like today that remind us what we can achieve together when we have the merest sniff of a competitive package."

The 61-lap race is typically incident-packed, and Vandoorne is hopeful McLaren can capitalise on a Safety Car period or two with at least one occurring in each of the previous nine.

“We came into the weekend more or less expecting to get both cars into Q3, and we achieved that today," the Belgian said. "We were always on the pace throughout Q1 and Q2, but perhaps we lacked that little bit extra in Q3 compared to our rivals.

"But nonetheless it’s been a smooth and solid effort from the whole team.

"While today is a good starting point, tomorrow is where it really matters. I might be hoping for quite a few Safety Cars in the race, but I still think we can conclude the weekend on a high."