Fred Vasseur is keeping expectations measured ahead of the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Ferrari will attempt to maximise the potential of the SF-26 on one of Formula 1’s most unusual circuits. The Scuderia has never won in Baku across the nine editions held so far, despite collecting five pole positions and four podium finishes, while Charles Leclerc could also face an important power-unit decision before qualifying and the race.
The Baku City Circuit has rarely delivered the kind of results Ferrari would have hoped for, largely because its highly unusual layout demands a difficult compromise. In the old-city section, the cars pass just centimetres from the barriers, while the famous Castle section becomes so narrow that there is effectively room for only one Formula 1 car at a time.
Ferrari faces a difficult Baku setup compromise
The character of the circuit changes dramatically in its final section. After the last sequence of corners, the drivers begin a flat-out stretch of more than two kilometres, placing a premium on power-unit performance and aerodynamic efficiency. Maximum speed becomes crucial, while slipstreaming can also play an important role in both qualifying and the race.
That combination makes Baku a particularly demanding technical test for the SF-26. Ferrari must find enough stability and confidence for the narrow street sections without sacrificing too much efficiency on the long straights. The challenge is closely connected to the team’s Baku energy-deployment and Straight Mode test, where battery management and aerodynamic efficiency will become especially important.
There is another major change to the usual Grand Prix format this year. The entire programme has been moved forward by one day, with the race taking place on Saturday in order to respect the country’s Remembrance Day, which is observed annually on 27 September. The complete session timetable is available in the 2026 Azerbaijan Grand Prix schedule.
Fred Vasseur stresses execution as Ferrari targets maximum result
Fred Vasseur remains cautious when assessing Ferrari’s prospects, emphasising that recent competitiveness will only count if the team can execute every aspect of the weekend properly.
“In the last few races our car has shown a good level of competitiveness, but we have also seen how important it is to put every aspect of the weekend together. Baku represents a very different challenge, where confidence in the car and the execution of our work will be particularly important,” the Ferrari team principal explained.
Perfect execution has become a recurring theme for Fred Vasseur, and Baku’s tendency to produce unpredictable races only reinforces its importance.
“Baku is also a circuit where the weekend can feature many variables and become unpredictable, so we will have to remain focused on ourselves, adapt to any situation and try to make the most of every opportunity,” Fred Vasseur added.
The uncertainty surrounding Ferrari’s competitiveness is particularly significant after recent races exposed different strengths and weaknesses in the SF-26. The team’s wider Baku outlook remains challenging as development questions continue, making clean execution even more important if Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are to maximise the available performance.
Charles Leclerc to test Monza-damaged ADUO2 power unit
Charles Leclerc will also face an important technical programme during Friday practice. The Monegasque driver is set to run the ADUO2 power unit that was involved in his accident at Monza, allowing Ferrari to assess whether the unit can continue to be used reliably.
If no reliability problems emerge, Charles Leclerc is expected to continue the weekend with that power unit. However, it remains very likely that Ferrari will introduce a fifth engine for qualifying and the race. Such a move would send the Ferrari driver into a power-unit penalty, adding another strategic complication to an already demanding weekend.
The decision therefore goes beyond simple component management. Ferrari must determine whether continuing with the Monza unit provides enough confidence for the competitive sessions or whether introducing a fresh engine is ultimately the safer and more effective option despite the sporting penalty.
Baku’s long straight will expose Formula 1 energy management
Another particularly interesting aspect of the Azerbaijan weekend will be how Ferrari and its rivals distribute electrical energy across the lap. Battery recharging should not create major difficulties, but the exceptionally long final straight will provide a clear demonstration of which teams can optimise power-unit performance most effectively at high speed.
The challenge is not simply to deploy as much electrical energy as possible. Teams must distribute that energy across the entire lap while ensuring sufficient performance remains available through Baku’s longest acceleration zones. Combined with the need for low aerodynamic drag, that makes the final part of the lap one of the most revealing tests of power-unit efficiency on the calendar.
For Ferrari, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will therefore demand much more than outright speed. The SF-26 must provide Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with confidence through the narrow technical sections, while the power unit and aerodynamic package must remain efficient across Baku’s extensive flat-out sections. As Fred Vasseur has made clear, extracting the maximum result will depend on putting every element of the weekend together.
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