Jenson Button fears that the rest of the Formula 1 grid will be unable to battle with Mercedes for race wins until the second half of the season.
The 2009 world champion finished a lap down at the Chinese Grand Prix as the Silver Arrows continued to dominate up front, with Lewis Hamilton winning a third consecutive race.
However, Button suggests that the German constructor may continue to set the pace in 2014.
He told Autosport: "We're bringing updates all the time, some bigger than others, but I think for any team to find a second is a big ask over the next couple of races.
"And that's with Mercedes standing still. And they're not going to do that. It's going to be tough and we've got to be realistic about it.
"Some people might over-deliver and we might see in two or three races that we're able to fight them, but I think it would be very impressive for any team to achieve that."
Button has started the season brightly, as both he and Kevin Magnussen finished on the podium at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, but McLaren have struggled to score big points since.
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