McWilliams and Australian team-mate Andrew Pitt are busy proving the new 800cc Ilmor machine ahead of its first race of the season in MotoGP.

“We have definitely made some steps in the right direction ahead of Qatar,” said McWilliams.

“Ideally, I would like another test but unfortunately time won’t allow us that privilege. On the whole, things are looking positive.”

McWilliams was 23rd fastest during the final test at Jerez as former world champion Valentino Rossi set a new record time and scooped a £35,000 prize into the bargain.

Rossi set the quickest time and won a BMW Z4 car with a lap of one minute 38.394 seconds on the factory Yamaha.

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa was second fastest on the Repsol Honda with Rossi’s American team-mate Colin Edwards setting the third best time.

Pedrosa’s American team-mate Nicky Hayden, the defending MotoGP champion, was fourth quickest.

Rossi admitted: “I knew that I had a chance to try to win this competition. However, I knew it was going to be a hard fight as well and I definitely expected Pedrosa to be as strong as he was.

“It was a fun battle with him, the first real one of the year. The most important thing about this is that it shows what great work we’ve done over the winter. Everyone has tried so hard and this is a nice way to say thank you to them all.

“Colin was also very fast so this once again shows how well our bike is working. Of course, this isn’t even the first race and now we have to wait until Qatar, but we’re definitely in good shape and I am excited about the season ahead.”