McLaren's new car was uncompetitive in Melbourne

The new McLaren was slow and unreliable in Australia, where Kimi Raikkonen retired and David Coulthard was eighth.

McLaren managing director Martin Whitmarsh said testing since Melbourne had given the team reason for optimism.

"We will incorporate some useful feedback and hope to improve our competitiveness for Malaysia," he said.

Coulthard, who stayed out in the far east after the Australian race, said he was optimistic McLaren had made progress.

"Everyone has been working hard on the test track and at our base and hopefully we will be able to improve in Sepang," the Scot said.