Eric Boullier has defended McLaren supremo Ron Dennis's right to predict forthcoming Formula 1 dominance for the Woking-based team.

While the team have improved markedly since 2015, Honda-powered McLaren are still a long way from being able to challenge on merit for podiums, let alone take on the established dominance of Mercedes.

Nonetheless, McLaren Group chairman Dennis recently declared that "the next world champions after Mercedes will be McLaren. We'll get to that goal before other people."

Although it raised eyebrows, team boss Boullier said that Dennis has the right to make that sort of statement.

"First of all you know what the ambition of McLaren is, and this is what we are targeting," said the Frenchman.

"I think this statement from Ron - you know he has a great career, he is a legend in Formula 1 and I think it's also an extra motivation for all of us to achieve what we want to."

The season continues with the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.