Lewis Hamilton believes McLaren are in a strong position ahead of the season-opening grand prix in Bahrain next week.
It is all a far cry from a year ago, when the team was languishing at the back of the pack following a wretched pre-season.
But, after new team-mate Jenson Button was quickest at the end of the two tests in Jerez, Hamilton finished at the top of the timesheets come the conclusion of the final test in Barcelona on Monday.
McLaren's pace prompted returning seven-times champion Michael Schumacher to suggest the Woking-based marque are currently the strongest team.
Hamilton, though, disagreed as he said: "I don't think we're in the strongest position. I think we're in a strong position, just as they (Schumacher's Mercedes GP) are."
"It really is impossible to say who is the fastest. You don't know what fuel loads everyone was on."
"On the long runs, if you look at the times, I did a race distance so you can guess what fuel load I was on."
"The times I did were very competitive, probably the most competitive of the day, so that was a big boost of confidence for me."
"Still, I think the Mercedes was very competitive over its long runs and so was the Ferrari."
"We have to keep pushing because I'm sure other people will come with updates for the first race, so we're pushing as hard as we can to find some more time."
The race in Bahrain on March 14 appears likely to be a fight between McLaren, Ferrari, Mercedes and Red Bull, with Hamilton believing it is the team from Maranello out in front.
Key to McLaren's success will be the relationship between Hamilton and current world champion Button, with the 25-year-old insisting all is well between them so far.
Much has been made of their different driving styles, which could yet play a role in deciding the destiny of the championship.
Hamilton has not noticed too much difference yet, although he feels the acid test is still to come.
"We seem to give back the exact same feedback, the same feeling in the car, which is a positive, a plus for us," said Hamilton on Autosport.
"Working together is going very well at the moment but the first race will give us a real indication of just how different we demand the car, when we drive on the same day."
"I'm sure, once we get to the first race and we have to overlook one another's driving styles, I have no doubt there will be things I can learn from him, and he can learn from me."