Leclerc: Extending development of SF-23 will benefit 2024 design

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari's ongoing efforts to iron out the weaknesses of its SF-23 aren't to the detriment of the development of its 2024 car as any improvements will benefit the latter.

F1 teams are slowly but surely reaching the crossover point when the majority of an outfit's resources is channeled towards the development of its 2024 contender.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner recently revealed that the Milton Keynes-based outfit's massive performance advantage this season over its rivals has already allowed it to focus its attention on its future RB20.

But Leclerc isn't worried by Red Bull's early switch. As Ferrari extends the development of its current car in a bid to eradicate its weaknesses, its current work will necessarily benefit its 2024 design.

"I’m not particularly worried, it’s part of the game, no?" the Monegasque said at Silverstone last week.

"Whenever you have an edge in one season, then obviously the risk for the other teams is that this team is trying to take time in order to develop next year’s car. But, in the end, it’s quite linked, in a way.

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"We are still mainly focussed on this year’s car because we’ve got clear weaknesses and we know that we need to address those, and when we will have addressed those, then it goes together: next year’s car will be much better – so, yeah.

"But again, what gives me confidence in this time is that we have a very clear plan in what we want to improve. We’ve already done steps forward in the last three races.

"There are many more things coming in the next races, in order to not only be in front of Mercedes and Aston [Martin] but to be fighting the Red Bulls as quickly as possible and we are on the right track, I’m sure."

Mercedes charger George Russell shared Leclerc's view, the Briton also doubting that Red Bull's early switch to 2024 would procure the championship winning outfit a crucial advantage.

"No, not really because I think with the stable regulations this year and next year, the car’s kind of roll into next season anyway," Russell commented.

"Obviously in 2021 when you’ve got this new big rule change there are concerns, but this year we will finish with a car that will be an evolution into the following year’s car."

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