WOKING (England) - OUTGOING McLaren Formula One chief Ron Dennis believes revolutionary technology in his team's new car can power world champion driver Lewis Hamilton to a title repeat in 2009.

Dennis, speaking at the launch of the MP4-24 car at McLaren's headquarters south of London, said he was confident Hamilton would master the KERS (or kinetic energy recovery system) as he attempts to defend his world crown.

The device enables the car to recover energy under braking, store the energy for the lap and release it to power on the driver.

An optimised KERS package can be expected to deliver a 0.3-0.5 seconds gain per lap, according to McLaren.

Seen as an aid to overtaking, it is designed to encourage drivers to take on more manoeuvres, thereby making races more exciting.

'It won't be a question of just pressing the button but of optimising the system over the entire lap,' explained Dennis.

'Driver overload could be a challenge for the drivers, but with Lewis, his talent, commitment and sacrifice will stand him in good stead despite these challenges.'

Dennis, 61, announced at the launch that he would be stepping down as team principal of the McLaren team on March 1 to make way for long-term deputy Martin Whitmarsh.

The last decade has been a relatively lean period for the team but McLaren returned to the top last year when Hamilton secured their first drivers' championship since 1999 with a dramatic final-race triumph in Brazil.

Dennis said his move should not be seen as a retirement and promised to 'raise his game' over the forthcoming season in his drive to support Hamilton and fellow driver Heikki Kovalainen.

KERS is just part of a wide range of modifications incorporated into the new car so that it conforms with the governing FIA's new aerodynamic regulations for the 2009 season.

'It's the same for every team but the rule changes have certainly presented us with a challenge,' said Dennis.

'They have probably been the biggest set of rule changes for the last 15 years'.

'If you go down the wrong path you can get into trouble but we believe this is a car that's been correctly conceptualised.'

Dennis was also bullish about McLaren's ability to ride out the gloomy financial climate which has already seen Formula One teams Honda and Super Aguri fold.

'Our strength is best typified by having the same brands on our car,' added Dennis.

'We are close to signing Hugo Boss as a sponsor again - we have had a close relationship with them for 32 years which must be a record for any sport, let alone Formula One'.

'This is when you need that longevity and understanding to power you through the difficult times.'

However, Dennis, who has run McLaren since 1981, admitted that the team were looking to cut costs.

'It is very challenging to reduce costs in Formula One as it is a competitive sport. But one hundred people have been employed to identify and apply cost reductions.' -- AFP