Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has repeatedly underscored the necessity of delivering flawless weekends after the Scuderia endured 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 – Ferrari’s position in both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships has begun to slip. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium proved to be the only podium the team secured in the five rounds leading up to the summer hiatus, a stark contrast to the optimism that followed their earlier triumphs.
The SF‑26, Ferrari’s current race car, continues to demonstrate competitive speed at various points throughout a race weekend. A recent illustration of this came during the Madrid session, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the initial runs of Q3, only to start the race from fourth on the grid after the final qualifying laps shuffled the order. This pattern of strong single‑lap pace but inconsistent overall results has become a recurring theme for the Italian outfit.
Now, as the championship moves to the narrow, wall‑flanked streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur stresses that the team must be at its absolute best. "The last few races have shown that our car can produce a respectable level of performance, but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to assemble every element of the weekend correctly," Vasseur explained. "Baku presents a very particular challenge where confidence in the car and flawless execution are vital. The circuit can throw a multitude of variables at us, so we need to stay focused on our own work, adapt to any situation that arises, and extract the maximum from every opportunity." Ferrari’s recent scarcity of podium finishes has placed the Scuderia’s dream of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought further out of reach.
In the Drivers' standings, Lewis Hamilton fell more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli after retiring in Madrid due to brake problems, while Ferrari now trails Mercedes by 145 points in the Constructors' championship. The gap has been exacerbated by McLaren, currently sitting third, which has outscored Ferrari in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the distance to just 52 points with nine races remaining. During a recent episode of The F1 Show podcast, former champion Nico Rosberg offered his perspective on Ferrari’s predicament. He observed 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. He identified strategy and communication as the team's Achilles' heel, noting that these weaknesses have persisted for years.
"The pace of the car is close – it's damn close to being able to challenge consistently for race wins," Rosberg said. He added that even in Madrid, Hamilton would have comfortably finished second if not for the strategic mishaps, suggesting that a smoother operational approach could have easily placed Ferrari on the podium behind Max Verstappen.
Rosberg’s comments underline a broader issue: Ferrari possesses the raw speed to compete at the front, yet the team’s inability to synchronize its pit stops, tyre choices, and intra‑team communications often costs them valuable points. This disconnect between potential and performance is especially glaring on circuits like Baku, where a single error can be magnified by the high‑speed straights and tight corners that define the track. Looking ahead, the Scuderia’s schedule is packed with a series of events that will test their resilience.
On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers will gather for a press conference at 11 a.m., followed by a paddock interview at 2 p.m. Thursday’s agenda includes F2 practice sessions, the first and second practice runs for the Azerbaijan GP, and a team bosses’ press conference.
Qualifying is slated for Friday morning, with the race itself set for Saturday midday, accompanied by a host of supporting events such as the F2 sprint and feature races. For fans eager to follow the action, Sky Sports F1 will broadcast the entire weekend live, with additional coverage on Sky Sports Main Event.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to deliver a triple‑header of races, and the Baku Grand Prix is expected to be a decisive moment for Ferrari. Whether Vasseur and his engineers can translate the SF‑26’s evident speed into a clean, error‑free performance will be crucial.
If they manage to tighten up strategy, improve communication, and maintain composure under the pressure of Baku’s unforgiving layout, they could still mount a serious challenge for podium finishes and perhaps keep their championship hopes alive. In summary, Ferrari enters the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a clear target: execute flawlessly, adapt swiftly to any on‑track developments, and capitalize on every chance the SF‑26 offers. The team’s ability to overcome its long‑standing strategic shortcomings could determine not only their performance in Baku but also the trajectory of their entire season as the fight for the championship intensifies.