Timo Glock has expressed concern that simply qualifying for races might soon be difficult for the Virgin team in 2011.
The German was openly disappointed when significant elements of a major upgrade for the MVR-02 car did not work effectively in Turkey just over a week ago.
He said the team needs to get to the bottom of the problems or risk falling way behind the progress of its rivals.
"If our development packages do not work, it will soon be difficult for us to qualify for the race," Glock, referring to the newly reintroduced 107 per cent qualifying rule, is quoted by Speed Week.
He insisted, however, that he is not so disillusioned that he is losing patience with the Virgin project.
"I stand behind the team," insisted the former Jordan and Toyota driver. "We need to solve our problems and change only a few things and then we will make progress."