Both two-time champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso and 2009 champion Briton Jenson Button made clear that the Honda powered team’s recent improvement should not inspire unrealistic expectations.
Briton Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in 2008 was McLaren's 15th win at Monaco but was also their last.
"We have to be realistic," said Alonso. "And to have the feet on the ground first, put the car on the track tomorrow and see how competitive we are.
“We came here last year with some expectations as well, it being a very low power effect and we were not very competitive. We were still 10th or 11th last year in qualifying.
