Speaking at the annual 'Stars and Cars' festival, held at the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart, DaimlerChrysler chairman Dieter Zetsche has admitted that he is expecting to see McLaren-Mercedes taking the title in 2007.

After a season in which the Woking based outfit failed to win a race, for the first time since 1996, finishing third in the Constructors' Championship, behind Renault and Ferrari, Zetsche said he hopes to see his team finishing two places higher next season.

"It wouldn't be asking too much for us to be two places better next season, then I would be satisfied," he admitted. "We want to be first. This year, we had five or six chances to win, but came away with nothing. We were not good enough, and that has to change if we are to take the title."

The 'Stars and Cars' event marked the end of Kimi Raikkonen's time with McLaren-Mercedes, the Finn heading off to join arch-rivals Ferrari.

However, with double World Champion Fernando Alonso leading McLaren's challenge, aided by a number of sizeable new sponsorship deals, and a rejuvenated back-room staff, much is expected in 2007 and beyond.