McLaren target French debut for MP4-19B.

Team McLaren-Mercedes have revealed that their 'new' car, the MP4-19B, could make its debut at the next race, the French Grand Prix on July 4, providing a test next week at Jerez goes well.

Speaking to BBC Sport Online, McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh added that they are 'cautiously optimistic' the 19B will deliver the goods, and allow them to challenge BAR and Renault - currently Ferrari's chief rivals.

"We are hoping Jerez will be a successful test, which we believe it will be," he commented.

"If it is, we will bring the car to the French Grand Prix, although we will be driven by the performance at the test."

"We're being cautiously optimistic on this occasion," he added. "But we have to make sure that rather than knee-jerk into bringing a car to the circuit before it is properly developed, we do the right amount of work on the test track."

McLaren have had a dismal start to 2004, and currently trail Sauber-Petronas in the constructors', having scored only 12 points.

Their best finish came last weekend, when they finished 5-6, following the disqualifications of both Williams' and both Toyotas'.

Number one driver Kimi Raikkonen gave the MP4-19B its first run two weeks ago at Silverstone, on June 1.