Former champions McLaren left the Abu Dhabi Formula One finale celebrating their best championship finish since their time as grand prix winners, but team boss Zak Brown is not expecting any miracles to speed up their climb back into the sport's elite.
The Woking-based outfit ended the season fourth in the overall constructors' standings, their highest finish since 2012, the year they last won a race. And a podium for Spaniard Carlos Sainz at the Brazilian Grand Prix, McLaren's first since 2014, was among the highlights.
But, now established as F1's best of the rest -- ahead of engine supplier Renault's works team -- they face their toughest challenge yet in closing the gap to Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, the sport's near untouchable leading triumvirate.