Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about McLaren's chances heading into the opening race of the season in Melbourne.
Hamilton finished third in the 2007 Australian Grand Prix while former team-mate Fernando Alonso came in second behind Kimi Raikkonen.
While Ferrari have been tipped to again dominate this year's race, Hamilton feels McLaren are in a better position.
"We have been working very hard through the winter, making sure the training is better and also preparing the new car. Seeing the new car evolve, seeing the evolution of last year's car, seeing the input of myself, Heikki (Kovalainen), Pedro (de la Rosa) and Gary (Paffett), and seeing how we can help push the team forward is, I think, really special," he was quoted by Autosport.
"It is a great experience and I feel we have an even better opportunity this weekend that we did last year at this time. So heading into this weekend I feel a bit more positive."
The 23-year-old admits people didn't expect much from him during his debut race last year.
"If you look at last year's race, I wasn't really nervous but everyone was expecting me to fail," he said. "I started fourth and I was going to come out of Turn One in eighth place if I didn't do something about it.
"And I made a real split-second decision and was right there. I had to make the quickest decision ever. I went right around the outside and managed to come out in third place. I think that was one of the decisive moments of the year."
Hamilton's team-mate Kovalainen is also in high spirits.
"It is a very interesting time in my career," the Finn said.
"Last year was my first year in F1. There were many things I learned last year but now, to arrive here in Melbourne with my new team, feeling prepared we are just waiting to get going. And I am looking forward to hopefully a successful season.
"Of course, the whole Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team are very motivated. They want to win and be the best in F1, so of course the aim is to do some good result.
"For myself I need to improve my performance from last year, especially the start of the season. A year ago here was a big disappointment so I need to do better than that, keep calm and that is the priority now. That is what I am focusing on at the moment."
