McLaren drivers stay cautious on Monaco chances

Inevitably there have been suggestions that the smaller role played by ultimate power in the principality will give the package more of a chance to shine.

However, the drivers acknowledged today that the opposition will be as strong as ever.

"We have to be realistic," said Alonso. "And to have the feet on the ground first, put the car on the track tomorrow and see how competitive we are.

"We came here last year with some expectations as well, it being a very low power effect, and we were not very competitive. We were still 10th or 11th last year in qualifying.

"I think Mercedes will be very strong, Red Bull very, very strong, Ferrari will be also competitive.

"We need to make sure that we are close to that group of cars, and if we can be somewhere there or right behind them, it's a good result for us. But that means seventh, eighth, ninth or whatever, it's still not a magic position, I think we're still not that competitive."

Button agreed that McLaren can probably aspire to having the fourth fastest car.

"I think you have to aim for better than what we had last year," said Jenson. "We finished eighth last year, so seventh I guess! I think that will be a pretty awesome result here.

"We do have a good car but still, there are a lot of good cars out there – the Red Bull, the Mercedes, the Ferrari – it is going to be very difficult to beat any of them.

"And then you still have a lot of other competitive teams like the Toro Rosso, who I think will be quite strong here. But both Fernando and myself should be looking at getting to Q3 and both finishing within the points this weekend.

"It is our best chance of a good result with a straightforward weekend with no retirements in front."