Vasseur: We are determined to maintain this run of form

McLaren, the old foes, are on their own renaissance, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri annexing the front row of the grid for the start of the Italian Grand Prix. What transpired thereafter is well told and analysed, the result being that Ferrari took advantage of McLaren's fumble, out-strategised them, pressurised them, and stole a fabulous victory and set the benchmark for what they can achieve.

But this is now, and now means a countdown to Baku, where the spoils of victory on that incredible Sunday at Manza will no doubt bring a spring to the step of everyone who wears the scarlet Red of the Scuderia this weekend.

They were hardly favourites for their home race, and they're hardly favourites for any of the races ahead. However, their performance in Italy suggests that they might ambush the top step of the podium a few more times in the remaining eight races of the season. Credit to Vasseur for steadying the ship and bringing about a calm, competitive, blame-free, and determined environment for a team that can easily lose itself in turmoil.

Therefore, no surprise ahead of Round 17, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, this weekend, Ferrari team boss Vasseur is using the home victory to galvanise the 'troops' fo the Battle of Baku: "We are on a high following the win in Monza and we are determined to maintain this run of form."

With McLaren top of the pecking order heading to Baku, and nothing between Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari, Vasseur is wary of over-expectation: "Once again, we can expect to see a very close fight between the top four teams.

"I often say we are focussing on ourselves and it’s clear this is the right approach, because we have seen a dramatic change in the hierarchy among the teams since the early part of the season.

"Our win in Italy also supports my view that how you execute the weekend from Friday to Sunday can play as important a role as the actual performance level of the car, so with Charles and Carlos we will again be aiming to do everything perfectly in Baku, to try and bring home another very good result for the team," added Vasseur.

In a season of ultra-fine margins when the pecking order at the sharp end varies from weekend to weekend, Baku Qualifying will be the first sign of which package works and which one does at the venue.

Looking to the race weekend ahead, Vasseur said: "The Baku street circuit features a combination of very high-speed sections and extremely twisty ones, presenting a unique set of challenges. In the past, we have usually been quite competitive here and it is also one of Charles’ favourites."

Records show that Leclerc has started P1 in the past three editions (of seven held so far) of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix but has yet to win at the venue, and neither has Ferrari.