(CNN) -- With 182 Formula One wins, McLaren is one of the most successful marques in the history of the sport, but F1's second oldest team could be waiting some time for the next victory.
So much so, that after the team's stuttering start to the new F1 season last weekend, McLaren drivers Jenson Button and Sergio Perez have already ruled themselves out of winning Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.
The 2009 world champion Button won three races last season and after Lewis Hamilton left McLaren to join Mercedes he must have been relishing the chance to launch a title challenge as the team's No. 1 driver.
However the Briton, who finished ninth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, is expecting another frustrating weekend in Kuala Lumpur.
"Australia was obviously a tough weekend and, despite getting the maximum out of the car, it's still clearly not where we want to be," Button told the sport's official website.
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"There's a lot of work to be done but we all know that this team won't stop working until they get it right. For this weekend, I don't think we can expect an improvement in our fortunes, but the thing about Malaysia is that it can be so unpredictable."
Like all Englishmen, Button is closely watching the weather forecast in the hope that McLaren might profit from what could be a wet race at the Sepang International Circuit to even up the odds for the British team.
"We saw that last year, when Fernando (Alonso) won, and we know that the unpredictable weather can make it a lottery for everyone," added Button.
"That's something that could play into our hands -- I do enjoy driving in changeable conditions, and would love the challenge of being able to run competitively in a car that we all know is not quite capable of challenging for victories yet."
Perez, who made his debut for McLaren last weekend after joining the British marque from Sauber, delivered an equally sombre assessment of the team's problems.
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"Last weekend's race was a difficult one for everybody on the team, but it's shown us exactly what we need to do to close down the gap to the leaders," said the 23-year-old Mexican, who finished second in Malaysia last season,
"This weekend in Malaysia will be about trying to maximise the package we have while knowing that it's not going to be enough to allow us to fight for overall victory.
"Sepang holds many happy memories -- I had one of the best races of my career there last year where I was able to push Alonso for victory until the closing laps.
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"It's a fantastic circuit, really fast and demanding. It would be great to pull off another unexpected result for the team this year."
Mercedes optimism
Former McLaren driver Hamilton enjoyed a solid first race for Mercedes last weekend, finishing fifth after starting the race third on the grid, and the 2008 world champion has been pleasantly buoyed by his team's performance in Melbourne.
"I feel very optimistic," Hamilton was reported to have said by AFP.
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"I came away from there with 10 points and I feel really happy with 10 points because when I made the switch I didn't know where we'd be, and I definitely didn't think we'd come away from the first race with 10 points."
Hamilton is confident he can match the pace of Red Bull's triple world champion Sebastian Vettel.
"I don't think they (Red Bull) had frightening pace in qualifying," continued the 28-year-old Briton.
"I think if I was out at the same time, if I was out as late as they had gone out, I think I could have matched their time.
"But then we got to the race and they had great pace again, as they always do and he (Vettel) disappeared, along with everyone else. Hopefully in the next race we won't have that problem."
Lotus' Kimi Raikkonen is the top of the drivers' rankings following the first race after the 2007 world champion took the checkered flag at Albert Park in Melbourne.
But the Finn denied suggestions he will be the man everyone is looking to beat in Sunday's race.
"There's no target (on my back)," said the 32-year-old. "We're not doing any different things this week from what we did previously.
"So whether people think we are the leaders makes no difference to how we work, what we're going to do this weekend or any other weekend. We'll try to do our best and hopefully we can score some good points."
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After 15 years with McLaren, Lewis Hamilton has flown the nest and landed in the Mercedes garage. The 2008 world champion is being tipped for success in 2013, with his new teammate Nico Rosberg showing in preseason that the new Mercedes is capable of topping the timesheets.
But if Hamilton is to win a second drivers' championship, he will have to overcome triple world champion Sebastian Vettel. The German has taken the title in each of the last three years, with his Red Bull team also leaving other manufacturers trailing in their wake.
The title race will not be as simple as Vettel vs. Hamilton. A fired-up Fernando Alonso missed out on the 2012 crown by just three points, and the double world champion will be looking to challenge at the front of the grid given the improvements in his Ferrari following last season's design problems.
Five rookies will be on the grid at the Australian Grand Prix, including Valtteri Bottas (pictured) who will be behind the wheel for Williams. Caterham drafted in Giedo van der Garde, while Esteban Gutierrez makes his debut for Sauber and Marussia boast an all-rookie line up of Jules Bianchi and Max Chilton.
Pirelli will serve as the official tire supplier in the final season of its three-year contract. The new tire is made of a softer rubber than its 2012 equivalent, with lap times expected to increase by up to half a second.
There will be 11 teams lining up for the first race in Melbourne following the collapse of Spanish outfit HRT after three seasons without scoring a point.
The new Infiniti Red Bull Racing RB9 was launched at the Austrian-owned Formula One team's English headquarters in Milton Keynes on February 3.
Mark Webber, left, and triple world champion Sebastian Vettel pose with the Red Bull they will be driving this year.
Title rivals Ferrari launched the new F138 which they hope will power Fernando Alonso to glory in 2013.
British team McLaren unveiled its car on January 31. New driver Sergio Perez (right) poses with 2009 world champion Jenson Button and the new MP4-28.
Former McLaren star Lewis Hamilton, left, and new teammate Nico Rosberg pose with the new Mercedes W04 on February 4.
Sauber's new C32 was launched in Switzerland on February 2. It will be driven by Perez's replacement Esteban Gutierrez and Nico Hulkenberg, who left Force India in 2012.
Force India's Paul Di Resta with the new VJM06 which was launched on February 1 at Silverstone. His new teammate had yet to be named.
Charles Pic and Dutch rookie Giedo van der Garde launched Caterham's new CT03 car on the first day of preseason testing at Circuito de Jerez on February 5.
Romain Grosjean was third-fastest on the opening day in Jerez for Lotus, which was the first team to launch its new car -- the E21 -- on January 28.
On Sunday, Vettel fought off feisty toreador Fernando Alonso to capture the drivers' title in a dizzying denouement and join an elite band of Formula One world champions.
It is mark of Vettel's greatness that he had come to from behind at Interlagos after a nightmare start on the opening lap when he was hit on the fourth turn and suffered damage to his car. It left Vettel at the back of the grid but by the 24th lap the Red Bull racer had clawed his way back to fifth place.
"Even if he appears to have a car that makes it possible for him, nevertheless he has to do it," said seven-time world champon Michael Schumahcer of Vettel's achievements.
"He's going for it 200% and it's a very tough job," added Schumacher of Vettel's talent. "He managed to pull it out and that is the extra effort that comes from him and to do this so consistently is very special."
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"Schumacher had five consecutive titles but that was in a period when Ferrari had influence on tyre development," said former McLaren GP winner John Watson.
"The interesting part is that this championship has been so hard-fought and it didn't really come together until the last races,"said 1978 champion Mario Andretti. "This season has been one of the best in memory. Vettel is one of the rare talents that don't come along very often."
"Vettel is making the most of the best design in F1," added Andretti.who is one of only two American drivers to have won the Formula One title. Here Andretti (R) is seen talking to Stirling Moss, during the championship winning season in 1978.
When Schumacher won his first world title with Benetton in 1994 it was also one of F1's darkest periods. The German won the San Marino Grand Prix in 1994 where both Simtek racer Roland Ratzenberger and three-time world champion Ayrton Senna lost their lives. 
Vettel celebrates with Formule One supremo Bernie Ecclestone following his title win in Brazil.
Vettel is now chasing after Frenchman Alain Prost , who won four drivers' titles.
"Fangio is my hero," said former McLaren GP winner Watson. "Why I respect him is that he won five world championships in an era when motor racing was fundamentally a slaughter."
Vettel aims to join Prost next year -- then five-time winner Fangio and Schumacher's magnificent seven are all that are ahead of him in his quest for total greatness.
John Wall of the Washington Wizards hits the floor after taking a shot against Kyle Korver of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 11 in Chicago.
The car driven by Kamui Kobayashi of Japan flies through the air after crashing during the start of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco on May 27 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Devin Funchess of the University of Michigan celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the University of Massachusetts Minutemen on September 15 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Luke Patience, left, and Stuart Bithell of Great Britain celebrate after finishing second and winning the silver medal in the men's 470 Sailing on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10 in Weymouth, England.
Allen Craig of the St. Louis Cardinals breaks his bat during a hit against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 24 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.
Dare To Dream, who is trained by Bart Cummings, enjoys eating grass after trackwork on October 30 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.
A gymnast performs during warmups before the start of the artistic gymnastics women's team final on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31 in London.
Maksim Veraska of Ukraine competes in the men's 200m IM - SM12 heat 2 on Day 5 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 3 in London.
Brigetta Barrett of the United States celebrates after a jump during the women's high jump final on Day 15 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 11.
Derrick Martin of the New York Giants makes a video of head coach Tom Coughlin while they celebrate in the locker room after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 20-17 in the NFC Championship Game at Candlestick Park on January 22 in San Francisco.
The Oracle Team USA flips over during a fleet race in the America's Cup World Series on October 6 in San Francisco.
Running back Trent Richardson of the Cleveland Browns hits the ground hard after a play against the Baltimore Ravens on September 27 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Spectators celebrate Abingdon School winning The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, a rowing event, during the fifth day of the 2012 Henley Royal Regatta on July 1 in Henley-on-Thames, England.
Berlin, right, battles with Hovex Lass during the 7th race at the Coral Brighton and Hove Greyhound Stadium on March 21 in Brighton, England.
Aisen Chen and Huo Liang of China dive during the synchronized men 10-meter platform final on Day 4 of the AT&T USA Diving Grand Prix on May 13 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Senyue Deng of China competes in the individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympics Games on August 9.
Bernie Ibini of the Mariners competes for the ball during the round seven A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and the Central Coast Mariners on November 17 in Melbourne, Australia.
A competitor runs along the beach during the 2012 Bondi Barefoot Race at Bondi Beach on May 27 in Sydney, Australia.
Ning Ding of China plays a forehand during the women's singles table tennis quarter-final match against Ai Fukuhara of Japan on Day 4 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 31.
The Syracuse Orange and San Diego State Aztecs play during the Battle On The Midway college basketball game on the deck of the USS Midway on November 11 in San Diego, California.
Robin Nahas of the Richmond Tigers is tackled during an AFL match against the Port Adelaide Power at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 2 in Melbourne, Australia.
Xin Wang of China reaches for a shot hit by Xuerui Li of China in the women's singles badminton semi-final on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3.
Switzerland's Fabienne Suter falls during the super combined slalom of the women's Alpine Skiing World Cup event on January 27 in St. Moritz, Switzerland.
Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees injures his leg playing against the Detroit Tigers during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 13.
Kei Nishikori of Japan serves during his quarterfinal match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on Day 10 of the 2012 Australian Open on January 25 in Melbourne, Australia.
A young fan runs in front of the peloton during stage two of the USA Pro Challenge on August 21 in Sapinero, Colorado.
Ryan Harwood of the Brisbane Lions and James Magner of the Melbourne Demons compete for a mark during an Australian Football League match on July 1 in Brisbane, Australia.
Julianna Naoupu of the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic lies amongst the confetti after winning the Australian and New Zealand Netball League Championship match against the Melbourne Vixens on July 22 in Melbourne, Australia.
Alviro Petersen of South Africa fields the ball during day five of the third Test match between New Zealand and South Africa on March 27 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Dong Cheng, left, of China fights against Erika Cruz Hernandez, right, of Mexico in the Women's 60kg preliminary match during the AIBA women's world boxing championships on May 14 in Qinhuangdao, China.
Fans watch from the stands as Kurtley Beale of the Australian Wallabies looks to pass during the International Rugby Test match against Wales on June 23 in Sydney, Australia.
A surfer rides a wave at Bronte Beach on May 8 in Sydney, Australia.
Jonte Green of the Detroit Lions loses his helmet while being stiff-armed by Bobby Rainey of the Baltimore Ravens as Ricardo Silva tackles him on August 17 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Athletes compete in the women's marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 5.
Golfers dressed in outfits from the 1930s play on Monifeith Links course during the 8th World Hickory Open on October 8 in Monifeith, Scotland.
Second baseman Tsuyoshi Nishioka of the Minnesota Twins attempts to make a throw to first base during a game against the Cleveland Indians on August 6 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Riders race in the AAMI Victoria Derby during Victorian Derby Day at Flemington Racecourse on November 3 in Melbourne, Australia.
Papiss Cisse of Newcastle United celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on May 2 in London.
The No. 8 DP Starworks Motorsports Ford Riley driven by Enzo Potolicchio, Ryan Dalziel, Alex Popow, Lucas Luhr and Allan McNish runs off the track during the Rolex 24 endurance race at Daytona International Speedway on January 28.
Competitors help pull each other up a mud hill during the 2012 Tough Mudder on April 1 in Phillip Island, Australia.
Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning a point in his quarterfinal match against Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic on day nine of the 2012 Australian Open on January 24 in Melbourne, Australia.
Athletes rest at the finish line of the women's marathon on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 5.
Justin Maneri of the Lehigh Mountain Hawks dives into the scorer's table after attempting to save the ball in the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during the second round of the 2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum on March 16.
North Korea's Mi Gyong Choe, in red, competes against Poland's Monika Ewa Michalik in the women's freestyle 63-kg wrestling match on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.
Eight cars wreck during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24, in Daytona Beach.
John Daly of the United States plays a shot from the trees during the first round of the UBS Hong Kong Open on November 15.
Kofi Kingston, bottom left, competes in the ring against The Miz during the WWE SmackDown World Tour on November 2 in Hamburg, Germany.
Supporters of the local team cheer prior to the Bundesliga match between FSV Mainz 05 and VfL Wolfsburg at Coface Arena on April 20 in Mainz, Germany.
Great Britain competes in the women's teams synchronized swimming free routine final on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10.
DeSean Jackson of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates a touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints on November 5 in New Orleans. The Saints won 28-13.
Austrian Gregor Schlierenzauer competes during the first round of the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup event at the 60th Four Hills Tournament at Bergisel on January 4 in Innsbruck, Austria.
Aaron Hill of the Arizona Diamondbacks safely slides in to score a run past catcher Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field on April 8 in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 7-6.
Richard Whitehead of Great Britain celebrates winning gold in the Men's 200-meter T42 final on Day 3 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games on September 1.
Athletes compete in the Men's 15-kilometer mass start during the IBU Biathlon World Championships at Chiemgau Arena on March 11 in Ruhpolding, Germany.
No. 1 Tavon Austin and No. 12 Geno Smith of the West Virginia Mountaineers celebrate after Austin caught a 37-yard touchdown reception thrown by Smith in the third quarter against the Clemson Tigers during the Discover Orange Bowl on January 4 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Mountaineers won 70-33.
South Korea's Woojin Hwang is thrown from his horse Oscar Shearwater during the London 2012 Olympic Games men's modern pentathlon riding show jumping event at Greenwich Park on August 11.
Allister Carter of England competes against Ronnie O'Sullivan of England during the final of the Betfred.com World Snooker Championship on May 6 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, England.
The Vanuatu women's national cricket team celebrates during a match against Japan at Independence Park during the ICC East Asia Pacific Women's Championship on May 17 in Port Vila, Vanuatu.
Jason Richardson, left, and Carmelita Jeter celebrate after placing third in the women's 200-meter and men's 110-meter finals at the London 2012 Olympics on August 8.
French rugby player Sebastien Chabal, right, packs down against another player during a Balmain Club rugby training session at King George Park on February 23 in Sydney.
Great Britain's Micah Richards, top left, goes for the ball against South Korea's Jung Sung-ryong and Ji Dong-won in the men's football quarterfinal match on Day 8 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 4 in Cardiff, Wales.
Thailand's Kaokaew Pornchai returns a shot to Indonesia's team in the men's kick volleyball semifinal during Day 3 of the ISTAF Super Series on February 25 in Palembang, Indonesia.
Manuel Minginfel of the Federated States of Micronesia competes in the men's 62-kilogram weightlifting on Day 3 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on July 30.
C.J. Sapong of Sporting KC does a backflip after scoring during the Major League Soccer game against the Toronto FC on June 16 in Kansas City.
Nikki Johnson of the Western Conference is tackled during first game of the Lingerie Football League All-Star Tour on June 2 in Brisbane, Australia.
James Reveley falls from Wayward Frolic during the Gain Horse Feeds Novices' Steeple Chase on November 6 in Exeter, England.
Hampshire batsman Simon Katich is run out by Yorkshire keeper Jonny Bairstow during the final of the Friends Life T20 between Hampshire and Yorkshire at SWALEC Stadium on August 25 in Cardiff, Wales.
Riders take a jump in the men's BMX cycling semifinals on Day 14 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 10.
Andy Murray of Great Britain celebrates his 7-5, 7-5 win against Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the semifinal of men's singles tennis on Day 7 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 3 in London.
Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys dives to makes a catch for a 30-yard touchdown as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie of the Philadelphia Eagles defends on November 11 in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 38-23.
From left, Rafal Murawski and Marcin Wasilewski of Poland vie for the ball with Sergei Ignashevich of Russia during the Group A preliminary round match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Poland and Russia in Warsaw, Poland, on June 12.
Competitors run under the Sydney Harbour Bridge during the Sydney Running Festival on September 16.
John Kuhn of the Green Bay Packers dives in for the touchdown over Aaron Ross of the New York Giants during their NFC divisional playoff game on January 15 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The United States women's soccer team celebrates a gold medal win against Japan on Day 13 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 9.
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