Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underlined the necessity of delivering flawless weekends after a series 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 waned. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, recorded just before the summer hiatus, remains the sole podium the team has secured across the last five rounds. Despite the SF-26 still showing flashes of speed at various points during a race weekend – most notably in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole in the early stages of Q3 only to start fourth on the grid – Ferrari has struggled to translate that raw pace into consistent results.
The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku presents a fresh test, where driver confidence and error‑free execution are paramount, and any misstep is quickly punished. "The recent races have proved that our car can be competitive, but they have also shown how crucial it is to bring every element 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 scarcity of podium finishes has pushed the prospect of ending an 18‑year world championship drought further out of reach this season. 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.
McLaren, sitting third, have outscored the Scuderia in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining. On the F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports analyst and former champion Nico Rosberg described Ferrari as being "consistently very close" to the front‑running pace but repeatedly stumbling in the execution of race weekends. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked, pointing to a long‑standing weakness in strategy and communication.
"Their Achilles' heel remains in those areas. The car’s speed is almost there – it’s damn close to challenging for race wins.
Even in Madrid, Lewis would have comfortably finished second if Max Verstappen had let him through. He would have taken second place behind Kimi without difficulty. They’re very close, but they’re not putting it together properly, and that’s the main problem they face." The Baku street circuit demands a blend of outright speed, precise car control, and flawless pit‑stop strategy. Its long straight, known as the "main straight," allows cars to reach top speeds exceeding 350 km/h, while the tight, twisty sections through the old city test braking stability and driver concentration.
Any lapse in tyre management or a miscommunication between driver and pit wall can quickly turn a potential victory into a costly retirement. Ferrari’s recent performance suggests that while the SF-26 possesses the aerodynamic efficiency to challenge on the straights, the team’s operational side – from tyre strategy to radio instructions – has not kept pace. In Madrid, for example, a sub‑optimal tyre choice forced Hamilton to fight for position, and a delayed pit stop cost him a potential podium.
Such incidents underline Rosberg’s point about the need for strategic clarity. Looking ahead, Vasseur has emphasized that the team must refine its internal processes.
This includes improving data analysis during practice sessions, ensuring clearer communication during qualifying, and executing flawless pit stops under pressure. The Scuderia’s engineers are reportedly working on a new software update for the car’s energy recovery system, aiming to deliver a more predictable power curve that could help drivers manage the long Baku straight more effectively. Moreover, the team is focusing on driver feedback.
Leclerc, who has shown resilience after a series of setbacks, is expected to work closely with the engineers to fine‑tune the car’s balance for the high‑speed sections and the tight corners of Baku. His ability to extract performance from a car that is “almost there” could be decisive. If Ferrari can align its strategic execution with the inherent speed of the SF-26, the Baku Grand Prix could become a turning point in their season. A strong result would not only close the points gap to Mercedes and McLaren but also restore confidence within the team and its fan base, who have endured a prolonged title drought.
The weekend’s schedule is packed with events: a drivers' press conference on Wednesday at 11 am, followed by a paddock uncut session at 2 pm; Thursday sees F2 practice, Azerbaijan GP practice one, and the team bosses' press conference; Friday includes F2 sprint, GP practice three, and the crucial qualifying session; and Saturday culminates with the Grand Prix itself, live on Sky Sports F1. Fans are encouraged to stream via NOW for flexible viewing. In summary, Ferrari’s challenge in Baku is two‑fold: harness the car’s competitive pace and eliminate the recurring strategic and communication errors that have hampered them all season. Success will require a concerted effort from every department, precise execution on race day, and the ability to adapt swiftly to the unique demands of the Baku street circuit.
Only then can the Scuderia hope to revive its championship aspirations and put an end to the long‑standing title drought.