Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are to undergo a rigorous test programme for McLaren next Friday in the hope of taking the fight to title rivals Red Bull Racing at the German Grand Prix.
McLaren were forced to ditch the debut outing of their performance-enhancing exhaust blown diffuser following last Friday's practice session ahead of the British Grand Prix.
It resulted in the team's mechanics working until 3am on Saturday to restore the cars to the set-up used in the previous grand prix in Valencia.
That exhausting possibility beckons again ahead of the next race at Hockenheim as McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh has ordered a complete evaluation of both types of car during practice.
"The days since the British Grand Prix have been spent back at the McLaren Technology Centre," said Whitmarsh.
"We have industriously undertaken rig tests, dyno running and development in the wind tunnel to ensure the future deployment of the blown diffuser gives us a more accurate and beneficial read.
"Of course, that final validation will only come at the circuit, so we're looking at undertaking a major test programme on Friday at Hockenheim.
"This will involve both drivers running back-to-back evaluations with the old and new floors.
"If these prove positive, we'll then look at the deployment of the new floor for the remainder of the race weekend.
"But that's a decision we'll only make after a thorough analysis of the inherent risks and benefits."
Whitmarsh will naturally be hoping McLaren have done their homework and get their sums right in the build-up to the race.
As Hamilton and Button have this week remarked, the team has punched above its weight of late in terms of results given Red Bull's superiority when it comes to pace.
Whitmarsh knows, though, the upgrade needs to work sooner rather than later if his team are to retain their lead at the top of both championships.
"Silverstone showed we were in no mood to be complacent," added Whitmarsh.
"That was either in our aggressive push to put upgrades on the car, or our decision to remove them and put our faith in an older iteration of the car, despite a lack of running compared with our rivals.
"It's ambition and decisiveness that win world championships, and on both counts we got that blend just right last weekend, which is pleasing.
"We've now come off an extremely successful run of recent races.
"But we're nonetheless under no illusions we need to bring further performance to the car if we are to remain at the forefront of this championship battle."