Fernando Alonso has admitted that he is unlikely to finish on the podium in 2016.
Former long-time team coordinator Jo Ramirez declared this week that he expected McLaren to be in top-three form by now.
However, Spaniard Alonso told Cadena Cope radio: "Under normal circumstances, we do not deserve the podium yet.
"Hopefully we will improve for next year, but this is Formula 1 and anything can happen."
However, Alonso says that even if McLaren are not ready for wins and the title next year, the performance of the 2017 car will not determine his future in F1.
"My continuity in F1 will not depend on the performance of the car," he insisted.
"The last two years have been difficult but I'm enjoying myself a lot. And if next year's cars are as fun as they were in the past, it will be no problem to continue.
"The cars we have now are slower than before and give different feelings that go against the instinct of the driver. So my continuity will depend more on the rules next year. If it is still about saving [tyres and fuel], then I will have to think."
Alonso finished seventh in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix.
