McLaren focusing on next season

Former team principal Eddie Jordan described the current model as the worst the team have built, while another source labelled it "a boat". Hamilton's title defence is sinking without trace after a run of three grands prix without scoring a point, following Sunday's 13th-place finish in Turkey.

"We've some of our technical big guns on next year's programme because we need to," confirmed Whitmarsh.

"From last year to this there was a very large set of changes, and I wouldn't say circumstances conspired against us, but they were the greatest in the last 20 years," he added.

A major upgrade is due for the German Grand Prix early next month, although if Whitmarsh has his way then it will be on the car for the next race at Silverstone in 13 days' time.

But with Hamilton 52 points adrift of Jenson Button following his rousing start to the season with six wins from seven races, it is hardly a surprise McLaren are turning their attentions to 2010.

"It was an ideal opportunity for teams with resources, or because they weren't competing, to steal a march on those pouring resources into the existing car," Whitmarsh added.

"Next year, we've not as large but a relatively substantial change, with a prohibition on re-fuelling.

"Fuel tanks will be 14 to 15 centimetres longer, which might not sound much, but talk to the engineers and it's a very significant and substantial change.

"So we have to take the opportunity of that step change in the rules to make sure we have a competitive car next year. We will continue to work on this year's car, but inevitably we've got to now taper development resource into the new car."