(L to R): Kevin Magnussen (DEN) McLaren, Dave Redding (GBR) McLaren and Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren. Formula One World Championship, Rd16, Russian Grand Prix, Practice, Sochi Autodrom, Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia, Friday, 10 October 2014
The team introduced a similarly significant set of updates in Singapore and, after refinements in Japan and Russia, have moved up the competitive order, outscoring all but Mercedes and Red Bull over the last two Grands Prix.
While team principal Eric Boullier played down the significance of McLaren's revival in terms of their constructors' position, he said developments - which will be introduced in Abu Dhabi - will be critical to establishing a platform for success next year and beyond.
"We are not chasing championship position, we are chasing the final restructuring of the team; to be ready to build on the new structure, to be competitive sooner rather than later," Boullier said during a McLaren-Mercedes phone-in.
"The reason [for the upturn] is the major upgrade which we brought to Singapore. It is true we have another major upgrade coming before the end of the season. It is not designed to bring advantage for the double points [available in Abu Dhabi], it is more about building the foundations for the future. One hundred percent [of 2014 developments] are applicable to next year's car."
Asked whether overhauling Ferrari was a consideration for McLaren - the two teams are now separated by just 45 points - Boullier added: "It is more about bringing the momentum back to the team and getting some good results in the last three races.
"If the performance on our car is good and we can deliver some strong races like Russia we will see if we can take back another championship position - I would be delighted to. [But] I don't think we have a clear target this year other than rebuilding the team and getting ready to fight back as soon as possible."
McLaren's return of fourth and fifth places in Sochi was their best team result since the Australian season opener back in March, when Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button claimed second and third - which remain McLaren's only podiums of the 2014 campaign to date.