With his Maranello squad having unlocked some key understandings of its car since the Dutch GP, its form was also lifted recently by a new floor that arrived in Japan.
It was able to edge ahead of main rival Mercedes at Suzuka, as the two teams lock horns in the fight for second in the championship.
However, Red Bull’s total runaway pace in Japan has left its rivals in no doubt about the gulf that still exists between them and F1’s benchmark outfit.
Asked by Autosport if the mood at the moment was one of encouragement at its own car progress, or depression at the gap to Red Bull still being so big, Leclerc was clear that the positives win for now.
“On one side you always need to look at yourself and I think, since the second part of the season, since Zandvoort, we've learned a lot,” he said. “So, on that we are happy.
“Then, 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.
“But yeah, all in all, I think we are more happy with what we've learned than depressed with the distance to Red Bull.
“It's because I think with what we learned, we can do a significant step in the future, which hopefully will help us to close the gap to Red Bull as soon as possible.”
Source: Autosport