After a disastrous season by its own lofty standards in 2013, much is expected from McLaren this time around. It has arguably the best power unit on the grid with Mercedes, with whom it is in the final year of a two-decade long partnership, along with an exciting mix of experience and youthful exuberance behind the wheel courtesy of Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen.

Now 34, Button is the elder statesman of Formula One. He made his debut at the Australian Grand Prix for Williams in 2000 and will start his 250th race in Bahrain. His has been a long and successful career but is obviously closer to the end than the start.

Across the garage is the elfin-like 21-year-old Magnussen, making his Formula One debut this weekend. He is highly rated by McLaren, which supported him through the junior categories in much the same way as it did Lewis Hamilton, and will be given the unenviable task of beating his world champion teammate at the first attempt.

It's a tough ask of any driver; Hamilton was unable to put Button in the shade despite his abundance of talent, made all the more difficult for Magnussen by having to do so in his rookie year. It will be the toughest task of the Dane's young career but there is simply no alternative.

"We all know that you are measured against your teammate but I don't see it like that," Magnussen said as he tried to avoid addressing the notion that he may have to beat Button to remain in Formula One.

"There is a lot pressure in being in Formula One, especially when you are with a big team as I am.

"It's where I want to be," he added. "I've always dreamed of being with McLaren and I'm here and I'm going to do my best and try not to worry too much about the negative things."

The upshot is it makes for a rather simple equation to determine his future. Failure would suggest he doesn't have quite the talent the team believes he has, a fact which would likely place his future in doubt. Conversely if Magnussen does gain the upper hand on his more experienced teammate it not only reinforces the belief McLaren has in him but raise questions about just how much Button has left to offer.

With Stoffel Vandoorne, another highly rated McLaren protege, waiting in the wings, the intra-team battle at McLaren is therefore an enticing one. One way or another, 2014 looks to be a make or break year for one of the pair.

Mat Coch