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Is Ferrari now F1’s fourth-fastest team? What Baku exposed about the SF-26

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix left Ferrari facing one of the most uncomfortable questions of its 2026 Formula 1 season. Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton sixth in Baku, but the final positions told only part of the story. The…

Published: Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 5:13 PM
Is Ferrari now F1’s fourth-fastest team? What Baku exposed about the SF-26
Key Things to Know
  • Scuderia Fans examines whether Ferrari has become Formula 1's fourth-fastest team following struggles at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
  • Mercedes driver George Russell won the race, with Max Verstappen finishing second and Isack Hadjar placing third.
  • Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Lewis Hamilton placed sixth, marking Ferrari's fifth consecutive race without a podium.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Sofia Bianchi of Scuderia Fans writes that Ferrari's performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix raised serious concerns about whether the SF-26 has slipped to becoming Formula 1's fourth-fastest car. Despite Charles Leclerc starting on the front row, he finished fourth behind race winner George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Isack Hadjar, while Lewis Hamilton took sixth.

The article highlights that Ferrari lacked the race pace to compete with Mercedes and Red Bull, struggling particularly with electrical-energy management and straight-line speed. Team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the circuit exposed known weaknesses, with the result extending Ferrari's podium drought to five consecutive races.

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