McLaren will be one of the teams to beat this season after failing to win a race last year for the first time in a decade, according to their former title-winning designer Adrian Newey.
'They're a tough team,' the Red Bull technical director told reporters after the launch of his team's new car in Barcelona on Friday.
'And in (double champion) Fernando (Alonso) they have perhaps the most proven driver at the moment given Michael (Schumacher)'s retirement.
'Probably some of the things that hindered them last year, the direction that tyre development took and possibly the way that the engine rules were, have now fallen into their hands,' added Newey.
'So I would imagine that they will be very competitive this year.'
Mercedes-powered McLaren have not won a grand prix since Newey left them at the end of 2005. With the Briton designing their cars, they won drivers' titles in 1998 and 1999 with Mika Hakkinen and the constructors' crown in 1998.
Newey's cars also won four drivers' championships and five constructors' titles for Williams between 1991 and 1997.
McLaren have signed Spaniard Alonso from champions Renault, with 22-year-old British rookie Lewis Hamilton driving their other car this season.
