Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underlined the necessity of delivering flawless weekends after a string of disappointing outcomes in recent events. Since clinching victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – their second win in three races – the Scuderia’s momentum in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships has noticeably dwindled. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, remains the sole podium the team has secured over the last five rounds. The decline is puzzling because the SF‑26 has continued to show pace at various points throughout a race weekend.
A recent illustration came at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the early runs of Q3, only to start the race from fourth on the grid. As the championship moves to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where driver confidence and error‑free execution are paramount, Vasseur insists Ferrari must be operating at their absolute best. "The last few races have demonstrated that our car can deliver a good level of competitiveness, but they have also highlighted how important it is to put every part of the weekend together," Vasseur said. "Baku is a very specific challenge, where confidence in the car and execution are particularly important.
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 recent scarcity of podium finishes has pushed the dream of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought further out of reach. In the Drivers’ standings, Lewis Hamilton has slipped more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli after retiring in Madrid with brake issues, while Ferrari now trail Mercedes by 145 points in the Constructors’ Championship.
McLaren, currently third, have outscored the Italian squad in each of the last four rounds and have narrowed the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining. During a recent 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 continually falter in the execution of race weekends.
"Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" the 2016 world champion asked. "Their Achilles' heel is still in the strategy and communication areas.
That's always been a weakness and still is a weakness of theirs now. Because the pace of the car is close – it's damn close to being able to challenge consistency for race wins." Rosberg highlighted the missed opportunities in Madrid, noting that Hamilton would likely have finished second if Max Verstappen had allowed him through, and that he could have comfortably beaten Kimi Antonelli.
"They're very close. They're just not putting it together properly. And they really need to somehow make progress on that. That's the main problem they're facing," Rosberg concluded.
Looking ahead, the schedule for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with sessions that will test Ferrari’s ability to improve their weekend cohesion. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers will face a press conference at 11 a.m., followed by a paddock‑uncut interview at 2 p.m.
Thursday brings F2 practice in the early morning, the first Formula 1 practice session at 9:30 a.m., and qualifying later in the day. Friday includes the F2 sprint, the final practice session, and the crucial qualifying run that determines the starting grid for the race on Saturday. The Grand Prix itself is slated for a midday start, with post‑race analysis and commentary scheduled throughout the afternoon.
The Baku circuit, with its long straights and tight, unforgiving corners, rewards teams that can combine raw speed with flawless strategy. For Ferrari, this means not only extracting the maximum performance from the SF‑26 but also ensuring that pit stops, tyre choices, and radio communications are executed without error.
Any lapse could be costly, as the circuit leaves little room for recovery once a mistake is made. In addition to the on‑track challenges, Ferrari must also contend with the psychological pressure of a long title drought. The team’s heritage and fan expectations add an extra layer of urgency to their performance in Baku. Success here could reignite belief within the paddock and provide a vital boost to morale, while another sub‑par weekend could deepen doubts about the Scuderia’s ability to contend for championships this season.
Overall, Vasseur’s message is clear: the car has the speed, but the team must align every element of the weekend—strategy, communication, driver confidence—to turn that speed into results. As the Azerbaijan Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see whether they can finally translate their competitive potential into podium finishes and, perhaps, a step toward ending their long‑standing championship drought.