McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has stated that the three-week break between the Malaysian Grand Prix and the Chinese Grand Prix has helped the team to improve their car.

McLaren's best finish so far this season has been ninth but Whitmarsh said that he expects things to improve with the recent development of the car.

"Clearly, our performance in Australia and Malaysia fell below the high standards we've come to expect at McLaren," Whitmarsh is quoted as saying by Autosport.

"However, the three-week break between rounds two and three has been a useful one; we have been fully engaged in further developing our understanding of the MP4-28 and are confident of being able to implement a number of changes this weekend that will widen its operating window and, potentially, improve its performance."

Driver Jenson Button recently claimed that he can still win the title this season.