Jenson Button believes McLaren could have a slight advantage over their rivals in Austin on Friday as the Woking team has the "best" simulator in F1.
Arriving at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin for this weekend's United States GP, none of the drivers have ever put in a lap of the new 5.513km track.
Many, though, will head onto the track for Friday's first practice with some knowledge of the layout having already put in laps on their teams' simulators.
But with one of the most advance in F1, Button reckons McLaren could have the edge.
"If anyone knows [the track], probably we're the ones that know the best because probably our simulator is the best on the grid," he told Sky Sports F1.
"We have a good feeling for the circuit. It's very tough on the cars and the tyres - especially the first sector. Turn One to Turn Nine is very fast and it's just changes of direction all the way through."
The Brit expects McLaren will do well as the track should suit their MP4-27, however, expects a tough battle with the likes of Red Bull, Ferrari and F1's most recent winner, Lotus.
"Our car seems to work well in that environment, and then you've got a lot of slow corners towards the end of the lap.
"We should be competitive here but I'm sure Red Bull will be, I'm sure Ferrari will be and Lotus.
"So it be a competitive race and that's what we want as well - we don't want one person to go away [at the front] and win this grand prix."
This weekend's race marks the penultimate round of the Championship, which Button admits has not been an easy one for him. However, he believes next season's car will be more suited to his style.
"For me this year has been more difficult than the last two years.
"The car is quick, we've proved that on many occasions. But for consistency for me it's been a little bit more difficult to get the results.
"The car next year should suit me a bit more, which I'm very excited about."
