McLaren continue development programme

This season we've already heard the Formula One season being compared to an arms race and McLaren firmly believe that this seasons title, will be decided by which team can win the 'development race'.

McLaren have already shown they can gain huge rewards through development outside of testing.

They came to Australia completely written off by many following a poor winter test session, the car missed one testing session altogether, lacked reliability, lacked pace and completed less miles than every other team on the grid (excluding Hispania who didn't complete a single lap).

McLaren were forced into playing catch-up, but come the curtain raiser in Australia, McLaren were competitive and have been Red Bull's closest competitors in both Australia and Malaysia.

But heading into China, McLaren now hope that new upgrades which include another newly revised floor and exhaust layout can edge them even closer to competing for their first win of the 2011 season.

'Coming just a week after Malaysia, it's essential that we maintain the thrust of our development programme in order to further close the gap to the front. McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh told Autosport Magazine.

'To achieve that, we'll be spending Friday evaluating a number of new components alongside our regular tyre and set-up programmes. We have a number of new parts that we want to evaluate on Friday – either for potential incorporation into our programme for the Shanghai race, or as part of longer-term development strategy.

'The development race is where this year's world championship will be won or lost.

Ferrari also hope to have an upgrade package for their cars in China, which undoubtedly will leave Red Bull looking over their shoulder wondering where the next challenge will come from.