first designing for next season actually works?

I accidentally left design on 'next season', so now my car is 38% this season, 9% next. Might as well continue next season, as some pointed out it was good to first make next season to 50%, then switch to current season. I'm pretty sure that won't make me win the championship this year yet I want to be in the top four (out of 8 teams).

But this tactic of first designing next season actually works or is it some suicide mission and a ticket back to the rookie tier?

Hmm well, could try that would give better performance in first season pro tier.

My tactic is to focus fully on winning this rookie tier, risk everything.
Then next season survival due to inactivity of other managers.
I figured that my driver will be under leveled compared to the Pro tier drivers, so let's train him in a crappy car :)

Focusing on next season's car early in the current season is working for me. I tried a similar thing this season to get to 50% then focus on this seasons car. It is certainly working in my league as I'm a clear leader in both championships at Hungary - with design finished for this season & next

It's working for me so far. I've done this at both of my teams and I've actually stopped development entirely so as to not start next season with too strong of a car (which would ruin my development for the season after next).

You get better performance on balance across both seasons if you develop firstly for next season, then shift development to the current season somewhere in the middle.