McLaren could find themselves being closer to Mercedes but lower in the Constructors' Championship this season, CEO Zak Brown warns.
Having entered 2020 mainly focused on repeating their P4 from the previous year, Ferrari's problems actually allowed the Woking-based team to claim third, pipping Racing Point by seven points.
However, throughout the season, the midfield battle ebbed and flowed with Renault, Ferrari and AlphaTauri often making it a five-team duel behind Mercedes and Red Bull.
And with the grid expected to be even more competitive this year, Brown admits McLaren may have to put things into perspective.
“I think 2021 is going to look a lot like 2020," he told the Xinhua news agency this week.
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"All those teams from third to seventh took a turn at being the third-quickest team at some point over the year, so I think it’s going to be unbelievably competitive.
“We could find ourselves closer to Mercedes, which is what we hope to accomplish, but slipping to fifth in the Championship, so it’s going to be too close to call. Where will we finish? Who knows, but I’m confident we’ll have a good year.”
For 2021, McLaren will return to Mercedes power, with their MCL35M set to be launched on Monday.
The team also welcomes Daniel Ricciardo from Renault, replacing Ferrari-bound Carlos Sainz.
And with pre-season testing limited to just three days in Bahrain next month, Brown admits their could be initial setbacks.
“Any time you’re making a substantial change, you run the risk of reliability and installation [issues], and just understanding the transition,” he explained.
“Compounding that with the reduction in testing, we are excited but also nervous that we’re going into the season with the least amount of time we’re allowed to prepare on track. It’s not ideal, but I feel we’re well prepared.”
