Team principal Martin Whitmarsh hopes McLaren will be one second faster in Sunday's first Formula One Grand Prix of 2011 in Melbourne, than in the final pre-season test in Barcelona.
McLaren's car had been off the pace of front-runners Red Bull and Ferrari but dramatic alterations have been made.
Whitmarsh says they hope the risks they've taken come off and they're competitive.
The new parts include a completely new floor and exhaust system, both of which are key in creating critical aerodynamic downforce.
