Ferrari is currently battling McLaren in the race for third place in the team standings and for the top spot in midfield behind the leading Mercedes and Red Bull teams. It has already taken two pole positions thanks to Leclerc and a podium in Monaco with Carlos Sainz, but is 19 points behind McLaren in the overall standings.
In 2022, the technical regulations of Formula 1 will be revised, which will give the teams the opportunity to improve the order and lead the battle to Mercedes and Red Bull.
Leclerc explained how he’s pushing Ferrari to focus as much on the car as possible for 2022, revealing that he’d love to sacrifice the rest of this year to be competitive next season.
“If you had the contract in front of me that tells me we are sacrificing 2021 for a competitive 2022, I would gladly accept it – but unfortunately nobody has that guarantee,” said Leclerc on the F1 podcast Beyond the Grid.
“[I’m pushing the team] more to focus on 2022. And I think that’s clear to everyone. 2022 will be a great opportunity for everyone. These new cars will be around for many years to come.
“This year, OK, we’re still battling McLaren for third place in the constructors, but in the end we know our goal is to fight for first place very, very soon, and that will be from 2022 onwards. and not this year.
“That is why I will gladly forego third place among the designers in 2021 to fight for first place in 2022.”
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Ferrari Sports Director Laurent Mekies announced in May that “90% to 95%” of the team was already focused on the 2022 car and recently said no further upgrades would come to address the SF21 car’s weaknesses.
The team has seen a significant boost in performance this year after a miserable 2020 season, in which it dropped to sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship, marking its worst season in 40 years.
Leclerc was able to take pole in Monaco and Azerbaijan, but then fought in race trim in France before qualifying at the two Austrian races became over one lap more of a weakness.
“It’s frustrating because one race is one way and the other race is the other,” said Leclerc of Ferrari’s different strengths and weaknesses.
“You never get the best of both worlds. But it’s part of life, I think. And we will try to find the right balance. “
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