Team McLaren-Mercedes will be out to further extend its lead in the constructors' and drivers' world championships in Fra♏nce next weekend and CEO Martin Whitmarsh isn't taking anything for granted.

Indeed despite the Woking-based 💯outfits form in North America, where the MP4-22 was clearly the class of the field, Whitmarsh is all too aware that their rivals aren't standing still and that both Ferrari and BMW Sauber remain a bit threat.

"Last week we completed one𝕴 of our most intensive tests of the year so far," he explained. "Our test team worked tirelessly to prove a myriad of components alongside a massive amount ဣof effort being put in across the organisation.

"We have a fight on our hands to maintain, and ideally extend, the lead we have 🔯in the C💖onstructors' World Championship and the Drivers' table with both Fernando [Alonso] and Lewis [Hamilton].

"Ferrari and BMW Sauber🐼 are not standing still; our job within the team is to keep providing Fernando and Lewis with a car capable of winning. There is no complacency and the motivation is considerable."

M🐬ercedes boss, Norbe🥂rt Haug meanwhile added that while they have had a great start to the year, there is still a long way to go, with 10 more races on the schedule.

"In 2007, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes have so far achieved results, which are unique in the history of Formula ღ1. The team have always finished in the points with both cars and have taken 12 out of 14 possible podium positions. On average, we scored more than 15 points per race with 18 points as the maximum in best case. A good interim balance; however, not more than that," he continued.

"We will all continue to work hard, to assure our reli👍ability and to further improv▨e our speed; the upcoming ten races are even more important than the first seven."