Racing Director Eric Boullier is "100 percent" sure McLaren can join the battle between the top three teams when they switch to Renault engines in 2018.
The Woking outfit called time on their troubled partnership with Honda after three seasons following another year of woeful performance and reliability which has left McLaren ninth in the Constructors' Championship this season.
Though Renault has had their own problems too, the fact the engine is competitive and having success - winning three races this year - is giving the bosses reason for high optimism particularly as they make good progress with the chassis.
"Almost everything that we have developed over the year in the factory corresponds to the car, so we have a high strike rate of success," Executive Director Zak Brown told Autosport. "Sometimes it can work in the factory and not on the car, but the chassis has been getting better and better and better.
"Our GPS says we are right near Red Bull: maybe a little better at some tracks and a little worse at other circuits but they have won a couple of races, so we are cautiously optimistic [for 2018]. We almost have a few giggles getting ready for next year. We are excited."
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Red Bull will be the main measuring stick for McLaren using the exact same engine but their strength in aerodynamics will put great pressure on the design team to keep up or come up short off expectations.
That fact is not lost on Boullier, who also points to the minor changes coming at the rear and cockpit areas of the car next year as a reason to remain cautious.
"If it was the same regulations 100% then I would say yes," the Frenchman said on if McLaren will be at the front. "But obviously there will be some changes next year: no T-wing, no monkey seat, a lot of cleaning up at the back of the car which makes it a little bit harder - plus the halo, which obviously is a disaster in terms of aero. So there is a lot of work to do around this.
"I trust the team we have, and what they achieved in the last three years. There is no reason why they cannot keep doing it, building up and catching up"
On if he expects McLaren to be at least near the fight between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, however, he added: "Yes. 100%."
