By Karl King
April 7 2006

Ron Dennis has speculated that McLaren Mercedes will make a 'quantum leap' through the field in 2006. German website sport1.de has reported the confident team principal of being very enthusiastic about the MP4-21's chances in the upcoming races.

Although some websites are reporting that this year's car has failed to live up to the MP4-20, which carried Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen to a total of 10 victories in 2005, it's worth noting the woes McLaren experienced in winter testing.

During the course of the F1 break, the MP4-21 was regularly slower than it's competitors, and the Mercedes engine was generally unreliable.

This has not been the case during the year, with the car taking Raikkonen to two podiums so far in the season. Podiums though, however good, are not the aim.

“If what I am experiencing on the test track is confirmed (in races), we are to make a big step,” McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa has been quoted. The Spaniard has shown some promise at the Paul Ricard track this week, setting the second fastest time on Wednesday, and going fastest yesterday.