Martin Whitmarsh confident McLaren can overcome their errors of the 2012 season

Martin Whitmarsh is confident McLaren have delivered a title-challenging car in the MP4-28 and insists the team can cut out the mistakes that derailed last year's campaign.

Although outwardly similar to last year's car, the MP4-28 in fact represents an ambitious shift in emphasis for the team in the context of rules that have changed little in the intervening period. Both the front and rear ends of the car are markedly different, with Whitmarsh of the belief that McLaren's rivals will be hard pushed to come up with anything quite as radical. "This car is already quicker than the car that finished the end of the last year and at the moment it's got a very encouraging development slope - be it downforce or other parameters - this car's responding very well," he said. "It's always possible that there's been a eureka moment somewhere else, but I think that's less likely: these current regulations, and the cars that are placed under them, are pretty well developed. "Undoubtedly, this car will look different by the time we get to Barcelona and again by the time we get to Australia." Hamilton has since headed off to pastures new, of course, but with Sergio Perez joining Button, their boss stressed that McLaren were looking firmly in a forwards direction. "Jenson has a lot of experience and I can sense, having known him for a few years, that he's got a lot of confidence in the car, the team and in himself and he believes that he can win this year's World Championship - and he'll be given every opportunity to do so," Whitmarsh said. "Checo is here because he's shown great capability. He's got a hunger to win, he's not intimidated by being here. I think it's going to be really exciting for him." Of Hamilton, who has joined Mercedes after 14 years at McLaren, Whitmarsh added: "We've had some great, great times together and there are some very happy memories there. Although I don't think anyone else in the team has spent too much time mulling over memories; I think we're looking forward now. "I think that's the nature, sadly, of motor racing. But, in a positive way, you look forward; you get excited."