Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto says the Italian outfit needs to get on top of its current performance shortfall or it could risk carrying its relative weakness into 2020.
Ferrari status of clear favourite attributed to the team after pre-season testing has been blow into pieces since the start of the season on the back of its inability to consistently challenge Mercedes' supremacy.
The Scuderia's deficit in the Constructors' standings already stands at 96 points, while Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc are preceded in the drivers' championship by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
Binotto revealed that gaining a clear understanding of the under-performance of its SF90 is crucial to the design process of its 2020 contender.
"The [2020] project has been started for many weeks and months," said Binotto.
"We're already developing for next year. By summertime the project is normally quite ahead already.
"I think if there is anything that needs to be addressed for next year it needs to be done very soon as well.
"We are working in parallel on this year's project because we need to improve and there is much to learn.
"Whatever we may do on the current car project will be of benefit to next year. But next year's project is not starting in October and November."
Binotto said that the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona confirmed Ferrari's weakness in slow to medium speed corners relative to Mercedes.
The Swiss engineer alluded to new "concepts" currently under evaluation at Maranello. He insists they won't appear overnight however.
"Improving the full car and concepts takes some time, no doubt," he said.
"To define a new aero concept, it may take a few weeks. But in the meantime we need to optimise the package we've got. There's still room to do so.
"If you look at the five races at the start of the season, there are some where we've been strong. So I think there are still races we can be strong with the current package."
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has made it clear: Formula 1 must rediscover the…
Sergio Perez isn’t taking lightly the suggestion that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac…
While Aston Martin’s F1 car is currently giving Fernando Alonso some massive engine vibrations and…
For a driver who has spent years bending F1 to his will, Max Verstappen suddenly…
For Carlos Sainz, what was meant to be a strong second season at Williams is…
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has delivered another withering verdict on Formula 1’s 2026 regulations…