Sky Sports F1's David Croft analyses the upcoming Ferrari upgrade packages ahead of the team's bid for resurgence at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Almost four weeks on from Lewis Hamilton's victory in Spa, Formula 1 returns from its summer break on Friday ahead of Sunday's Dutch Grand Prix.
Ferrari are winless in the six races since Charles Leclerc's triumph in Monaco in May, and have won just two Grands Prix all season, the first coming with Carlos Sainz's win in Australia in March.
But could the deployment of an upgrade package spark Ferrari's campaign into life in Zandvoort, arrest their winless streak, and propel them up the standings?
- F1 is back! Everything you need to know before Dutch GP
- When to watch the Dutch GP on Sky Sports as F1 returns
- Stream every F1 race with NOW Sports Month Membership
- Get Sky Sports F1 | Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp
Speaking on the latest episode of the Sky Sports F1 Podcast, Croft said: "Ever since the upgrades that came in Spain, and brought a solution to Canada that didn't work, [it's been a rough ride for Ferrari].
Trending
- Arteta furious with Trossard red as Stones calls out Arsenal dark arts
- Incredible moment Haaland throws ball at Gabriel's head and sparks melee
- What went wrong for AJ, and what next?
- Three decisions that shaped City-Arsenal title showdown
- Transfer Centre: Saints to offer Dibling new deal amid Man Utd links
- Arsenal latest: Havertz, Timber set unwanted record in Man City draw
- Man City latest: Rodri forced off injured against Arsenal
- Verstappen makes quit threat over 'silly' F1 rules
- Carra and Nev analyse title race: 'Man City have the edge'
- Ricciardo drops strong hint F1 career over after Singapore GP
"There is an upgrade package coming in Zandvoort, there is a new floor as part of that upgrade package.
"Ferrari have got to get rid of the bouncing, and if they don't, then the season is gone - they cannot run the car in the set-up they need to extract the maximum pace.
"If they don't get rid of the bouncing, then Charles [Leclerc] and Carlos [Sainz] are going to have very sore heads after the Italian Grand Prix, because the last place you want that bouncing to occur is Monza.
'Zandvoort a critical weekend for Ferrari'
"I think Zandvoort is a critical weekend for Ferrari. If those upgrades work, brilliant, they are back in the ballpark, and we'll see what happens from there on in.
"Maybe they can take advantage of a weaker Red Bull, if we are to believe what Helmut Marko was saying.
"It's mouth-watering what is coming up at Zandvoort. The true answer to whether Ferrari will be the team to look out for, or whether it will be Red Bull or Mercedes, is anyone's guess."
Formula 1 returns after the summer break with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort on August 23-25, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership - No contract, cancel anytime.
Sky Sports+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports app, giving Sky Sports customers access to over 50 per cent more live sport this year at no extra cost. Find out more here.