McLaren boosted by Monaco showing

After three non-scores, the team managed to get both Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen in to the top ten in Monaco.

Team principal Eric Boullier welcomed the significance of finally getting back in the points for the first time since the Chinese Grand Prix in mid-April.

He also reckons that the medium-downforce package the team has for Canada, allied to major upgrades for the Austrian and British Grands Prix, gives McLaren good reason to be more optimistic about its future.

When asked by AUTOSPORT if getting points in Monaco was important, Boullier said: "Of course it is. We are fighting for wins, but if you cannot fight for the win then you fight for points. It is good for the team morale and everything.

"We could actually have finished sixth and seventh, but we had a loss of electrical power on Kevin's car which is why for a couple of laps he was struggling to keep the pace.

"Then obviously Kimi's move ruined his race."

With the car demands of Monaco and the next race in Montreal unique, the team is delaying its major upgrade package for the Austrian Grand Prix next month.

Another step will then follow for the British Grand Prix, with the team determined to keep developing its 2014 car as many of the design elements will be relevant for its 2015 challenger.

"We need to get back to where we should be. That is the most important thing," added Boullier.

"Monaco is a special race. It is good to be in the points, but the target is to be in the points every race and then the big points every race."