Ferrari can make 'significant step' to catch Red Bull - Leclerc

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari is on course to make a "significant step" which will help it catch Red Bull in Formula 1.

The team has struggled to match their early 2022 form when they challenged Red Bull for victories, having only won a single race in 2023 with Carlos Sainz at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Ferrari came close during their home race at Monza, but the superior straight line speed of the RB19 was just enough to secure another successive victory for Max Verstappen.

Behind the scenes the team did a lot of work to understand their car setup after the summer break, with Sainz benefitting the most compared to Leclerc who was finding it difficult to adapt to the 'understeery' SF-23.

Leclerc: Hopefully close Red Bull gap as soon as possible

Earlier in the season Leclerc was concerned that it would be difficult for any team to catch Red Bull before 2026, when the new technical regulations come into effect.

But with the work Ferrari has done to understand their updated car concept ahead of a sizeable shift next year, he is more optimistic they can close the gap.

"On one side you always need to look at yourself and I think since the second part of the season is in Zandvoort we've learned a lot, so on that we are happy," Leclerc told media, including RacingNews365.

"Of course we understand also that Red Bull is still very far ahead, McLaren also has it peak and when they have their peak they are extremely strong, like they were in Suzuka.

"All in all, I think we are more happy with what we've learned with the distance to Red Bull. Because I think with what we learned, we can do a significant step in the future.

"This will hopefully help us to close the gap to Red Bull as soon as possible."