Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of delivering flawless weekends after a string of costly results that have seen the Scuderia’s championship hopes wane. Since clinching a victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – their second win in three races – the Italian outfit has struggled to maintain momentum in both the drivers' and constructors' battles.
Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, remains the sole podium the team has secured across the last five rounds. Despite the SF‑26 showing flashes of speed at various points throughout a race weekend – most notably in Madrid where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position in the opening laps of Q3 only to start the race from fourth on the grid – Ferrari has been unable to translate that raw pace into consistent results. As the championship moves to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur insists that the team must elevate its performance to the highest level.
"The recent races have proved that our car is capable of being competitive, but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to bring every element of the weekend together," Vasseur said. "Baku presents a very particular challenge where confidence in the car and flawless execution are essential. It is also a circuit where the weekend can throw up several variables, so we need to stay focused on ourselves, adapt to whatever situations arise and make the most of every opportunity." Ferrari’s scarcity of podium finishes this season has pushed the prospect of ending an 18‑year world title drought further out of reach. Lead scorer Lewis Hamilton fell more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli for the first time after retiring from the Madrid race with brake issues, while Ferrari now trails Mercedes by 145 points in the constructors' standings.
Third‑placed McLaren have outscored the Scuderia in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining. During an episode of The F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports F1 analyst Nico Rosberg pointed out that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the front‑running pace but that their weekend execution continues to let them down.
"Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" the 2016 world champion asked. "Their Achilles' heel remains in strategy and communication – areas that have always been a weakness and still are today.
The car's pace is almost there – it's damn close to being able to challenge for race wins. Even in Madrid, Lewis would have comfortably finished second if Max Verstappen had let him through. They are very close, they just aren't putting it together properly, and they need to make progress on that.
That's the main problem they're facing." The Baku circuit is notorious for rewarding precision and punishing errors. Its long straight, tight corners, and unforgiving barriers demand that drivers extract maximum performance while teams execute flawless pit strategies. Any misstep – whether a delayed tyre change, a radio miscommunication, or a strategic error – can quickly turn a potential podium into a finish outside the points. For Ferrari, whose recent races have been marred by such slip‑ups, the stakes are especially high.
In addition to the on‑track challenges, the team must also contend with internal pressures. The SF‑26, while showing competitive lap times in qualifying, has struggled to maintain tyre temperature and manage degradation over race distance.
Engineers have been working tirelessly to refine aerodynamic balance and optimise the power unit's performance, but translating these technical gains into race‑day success requires seamless coordination between drivers, pit wall, and strategists. Looking ahead, Ferrari's schedule is packed with a series of practice, qualifying, and race sessions across the next week. On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers' press conference is slated for 11 a.m., followed by a paddock uncut interview at 2 p.m.
Thursday brings F2 practice, the Azerbaijan GP practice sessions, and a team bosses' press conference. Friday features the F2 sprint, a third practice session for the Grand Prix, and the crucial qualifying session that will set the grid for the Saturday race.
The weekend culminates with the Grand Prix itself on Sunday, accompanied by post‑race analysis and reaction segments. For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the entire weekend live, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix highlighted as part of a triple‑header of races. Viewers can stream the coverage via NOW, with the flexibility of no contract and the option to cancel at any time. The race weekend promises high drama on the streets of Baku, and for Ferrari, it represents a pivotal moment to demonstrate whether they can finally align their evident speed with the precision and strategic acumen needed to challenge for victories and, ultimately, bring an end to their long‑standing title drought.