Fernando Alonso says it will be "difficult" for McLaren to be competitive at the Japanese Grand Prix, the home race of engine supplier Honda.
McLaren's troubled opening season with the Japanese manufacturer continued in Singapore as both Alonso and Jenson Button retired with gearbox issues. The team has just 17 points to its name as it arrives in Japan and Alonso expects the team's struggles to continue at the quick Suzuka circuit.
"Singapore is now behind us, but Suzuka will surely be a challenge," Alonso said. "Our car is well balanced and feels good to drive, but on a circuit with such a high average speed it will be difficult to beat our competitors. We'll take the samurai spirit with us to Suzuka, and as usual we won't give up."
Team boss Eric Boullier echoed Alonso's sentiments and insisted the team needs to work on reliability to have any chance of recording a positive result.
"First and foremost, to give ourselves any kind of fighting chance next weekend we must focus on our reliability after the disappointment in Singapore," Boullier said. "From Marina Bay, one of the lowest-speed tracks on the calendar, we go to Suzuka, one of the fastest, so preparation will be key.
"All of us at McLaren-Honda are working hard to continue to show our improving pace, and we hope we can put on a good show for our fans, partners and guests next weekend."
McLaren arrives at Suzuka with question-marks around Button's future, with reports in the British media suggesting the 2009 world champion is set to retire.