Ferrari point to Norris to defend Hamilton's Baku GP

"The last couple of weekends, the pace was good. We are getting there," Vasseur said after the race regarding Hamilton's acclimatisation at Ferrari.

The British McLaren driver, current runner-up in the Drivers' Standings, started the race in P7 and finished the race in the same position, which Vasseur sees as an indicator of Hamilton's return to better form.

"Lewis was P12 and Lewis finished in the gearbox of Norris," the Scuderia Team Principal concluded.

However, Norris was deard on the onboard radio saying to the McLaren pitwall, that he believed there was still much more pace in his MCL39, which he was unable to make use of due to the DRS train he was the back of, behind Yuki Tsunoda in P6 and Liam Lawson in P5.

Despite Vasseur claiming that the Scuderia would still be able to win a race and that Hamilton would clinch his first podium for the Scuderia this season, it all seems to point to the opposite happening.

Ferrari have lacked pace and consistency to be able to challenge for the top spots on a race-to-race basis, often signalling issues with bringing the tyres up to the right temperature and reliability concerns as the usual hindrances.

Italian journalist Leo Turrini fired back at Ferrari for its usual "excuses" and told Vasseur that the criticism aimed at his leadership will only be quelled with victories.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix also witnessed Hamilton's failure to pay teammate Charles Leclerc's favour back, by returning the position the Monegasque had ceded to the Briton in a bid to attack the drivers ahead. This prompted a resolute reaction from Leclerc.