Heikki Kovalainen has rejected claims he was "a broken man" after leaving Renault, but insists he is now a far stronger driver with McLaren.
McLaren boss Ron Dennis claimed after the recent race in Malaysia Kovalainen had been "systemically taken apart" during his time at Renault, and his team has "systemically built him back up."
Kovalainen has certainly proven his worth at McLaren to date as he out-qualified team-mate Lewis Hamilton in Sepang before finishing third to the young Briton's fifth.
The Finn is undoubtedly grateful for the opportunity McLaren have given him after his release from Renault at the end of his rookie year.
Kovalainen struggled at the start, incurring the wrath of boss Flavio Briatore, and ultimately it appeared he failed to gain the respect he felt he deserved.
"I don't think I was broken or destroyed at any point last year," Kovalainen said.
"But it is more difficult to show your true skills if you don't have the car, the whole package to be running at the front.
"I felt I did some very good races last year, finishing sixth, seventh or eighth, but unfortunately some people just didn't see that.
"Here we can fight at the front, and hopefully at some point in the season, fight for the victories.
"Then I think some people will realise, but I never had any doubts about myself. I've always believed in myself 100 per cent.
"With this team they can take me in all the right directions to eventually become a world champion."
Highlighting the difference between McLaren and Renault, the 26-year-old added: "I'm in much better shape, physically and mentally compared to how I was last year.
"This team is big, and there are many different areas where they can help me improve - technically, physically and mentally.
"People also listen to me in this team. If I say something they believe me. I'm not saying that didn't happen at Renault, but I feel here the relationship is very strong.
"I did get on very well with everybody at Renault. The guys there helped me a lot, especially after a difficult start.
"We had a lot of discussions and towards the end of the season we got back on track.
"Here we've tried to make sure I don't make the same mistakes as I did last year, with the priority to start the season better.
"I've certainly done that compared to last year, and now I have to keep improving from here all the time."
Kovalainen also feels his troubles last year have been vindicated by the fact Fernando Alonso has struggled in a mid-field car on his return to the team.
"I don't think their car has been performing well enough to be running at the front of the field," Kovalainen added.
"I felt that all the way through last year, but I wasn't worried.
"If they wanted to put another driver in the car, I would have been happy to have done that, but I never felt that was the case last year.
"I felt they believed in me, supported me all the way through the season, and at the end of it we had some good results."
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