Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of delivering flawless weekends after a series of disappointing outcomes in recent Grand Prix 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, stands as the sole podium for Ferrari across the last five rounds.
Despite the SF-26 still showing flashes of speed at various points throughout a race weekend – most recently in Madrid where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position during the early stages of Q3 only to start the race from fourth on the grid – the team has struggled to translate that raw pace into consistent results. As the calendar turns to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a venue where driver confidence and error‑free execution are rewarded, Vasseur insists that Ferrari must bring their A‑game. "The past few events have demonstrated that our car is capable of being genuinely competitive, but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to piece together every element of a weekend," Vasseur said.
"Baku presents a very particular challenge; confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are paramount. The circuit can throw a number of variables at us, so we need to stay focused on our own performance, adapt to any situation that arises, and seize every opportunity." Ferrari's recent podium drought has made the prospect of ending an 18‑year world championship hiatus appear increasingly remote. In the Drivers' standings, Lewis Hamilton fell more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli after retiring in Madrid due to brake issues, while Ferrari now trail Mercedes by 145 points in the Constructors' tally.
Meanwhile, 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 in the season. During an appearance on The F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports F1 analyst Nico Rosberg observed that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the front‑running pace but are repeatedly let down by their weekend execution. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" the 2016 world champion asked.
"Their Achilles' heel remains strategy and communication – areas that have always been a weakness and continue to be now. The car's speed is almost there – it's damn close to being able to fight for race wins on a regular basis.
Even in Madrid, let's not forget, Lewis would have comfortably finished second after Max Verstappen let him through. He would have easily taken second place behind Kimi. They're extremely close; they just aren't putting the pieces together properly. They need to make progress in that area – that's the main problem they face." The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with sessions that will test Ferrari's ability to improve.
On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers' press conference is scheduled for 11 am, followed by a paddock interview at 2 pm. Thursday sees a full programme of practice and qualifying sessions for both F2 and F1, beginning with F2 practice at 6:55 am and culminating in the Azerbaijan GP qualifying at 1 pm. Friday includes the F2 sprint, the final practice session for the Grand Prix, and the qualifying shoot‑out that will set the grid for the main race. Saturday, the race day, features the F2 feature race in the morning, the Grand Prix itself at noon, and post‑race analysis throughout the afternoon.
For Ferrari, the Baku circuit demands a blend of outright speed, precise car setup, and flawless pit‑stop strategy. The long straight leading to the iconic "sail‑boat" section rewards low drag, while the tight, twisty sections through the old city require high downforce and confidence from the drivers. Any misstep – whether a strategic error, a communication lapse, or a minor mistake on track – can be magnified by the unforgiving nature of the street layout, where walls are ever‑present and overtaking opportunities are limited.
Vasseur's call for a clean execution extends beyond the drivers to the entire team: engineers must nail the optimal aerodynamic configuration, strategists need to anticipate tyre degradation and potential safety‑car periods, and the pit crew must deliver flawless stops under pressure. The Scuderia's recent struggles have often been traced back to sub‑optimal pit‑stop timing or delayed strategic calls, allowing rivals like Mercedes and Red Bull to capitalize.
Looking ahead, Ferrari's path to revitalising their championship hopes hinges on converting the SF‑26's evident speed into consistent point‑scoring finishes. If they can tighten up their strategic communications, avoid costly errors, and maintain composure in high‑pressure environments like Baku, they could still mount a late‑season surge. The next few races will be decisive; a strong performance in Azerbaijan could restore confidence and reignite the challenge for both the Drivers' and Constructors' titles, while another lackluster weekend would deepen the gap and further diminish the dream of ending the long‑standing title drought. In summary, the Ferrari team is at a crossroads.
The car possesses the raw performance needed to compete at the front, but the execution of race weekends – from qualifying through to the final lap – remains the critical factor. As the Baku Grand Prix approaches, Vasseur and his staff will be under intense scrutiny to demonstrate that they can finally align strategy, communication, and on‑track performance to deliver the results that have eluded them for much of the season.