Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of flawless weekend execution after a series of costly outcomes in recent Grands Prix. 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, now stands as the sole podium the team has secured over the last five events.
The reasons for this downturn are not entirely straightforward. While the SF‑26 has repeatedly demonstrated competitive pace at various points throughout a race weekend – most recently in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position in the early stages of Q3 only to start the race from fourth on the grid – the car has struggled to translate raw speed into consistent results.
As the championship moves to the tight, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur insists that Ferrari must bring their A‑game and avoid the missteps that have plagued them. "The recent races have shown that the car is capable of delivering a strong level of performance," Vasseur said, "but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to piece together every element of the weekend.
Baku presents a very specific challenge where confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are paramount." He added that the Baku circuit is notorious for throwing unexpected variables at teams, from sudden changes in track temperature to the high‑speed straight that can amplify any strategic error. "We need to stay focused on ourselves, adapt to whatever situations arise, and make the most of every opportunity," Vasseur explained. Ferrari’s dwindling podium tally has widened the gap in the constructors' battle, turning their 18‑year world‑title drought into an increasingly remote prospect.
After Hamilton’s retirement in Madrid due to brake problems, the points lead over the Scuderia widened to more than 100, leaving Ferrari 145 points adrift of Mercedes. Meanwhile, McLaren, currently sitting third in the standings, have outscored Ferrari in each of the last four rounds and are now within 52 points of the Italian team with nine races remaining. On the Sky Sports F1 podcast "The F1 Show," former world champion Nico Rosberg offered a blunt assessment of Ferrari’s situation. He noted that the team is consistently "very close" to the leading pace but repeatedly falters in the execution of race weekends.
"Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked rhetorically, pointing to strategy and communication as the Scuderia’s Achilles’ heel. "That’s always been a weakness and it still is now.
The car's speed is almost there – it’s damn close to being able to challenge for race wins consistently." Rosberg highlighted the missed opportunities in Madrid, where Hamilton could have comfortably finished second had the team managed the race better. "He would have finished second after Max Verstappen let him through. He would have easily taken second place behind Kimi," Rosberg said, emphasizing that Ferrari’s performance gap is more about execution than outright speed. The message from both Vasseur and Rosberg is clear: Ferrari must tighten up its strategic calls, improve intra‑team communication, and ensure that the drivers receive clear, decisive instructions during the heat of competition.
In a sport where fractions of a second can decide a race, even minor lapses can have massive championship implications. Looking ahead to the Baku weekend, the schedule is packed. The drivers’ press conference is slated for Wednesday, September 23 at 11 a.m., followed by a paddock uncuts session at 2 p.m.
Thursday sees a full day of practice and qualifying sessions, with the F2 program interwoven throughout the schedule. Friday’s agenda includes the F2 sprint, a third practice session for the Azerbaijan GP, and the crucial qualifying run that will set the grid for the Saturday race. The Grand Prix itself will kick off on Saturday, September 26, with the race starting at midday and a post‑race analysis later in the afternoon.
For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the entire weekend live, and the events will also be streamed via the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option. As the Scuderia heads into what many consider a make‑or‑break weekend, the eyes of the motorsport world will be fixed on Baku, waiting to see whether Ferrari can finally align its speed with flawless execution and reignite its title hopes.