Ferrari struggles with execution: why the performance gap remains
Max Verstappen dominated the Azerbaijan Grand Prix without any apparent issues, while Red Bull clearly resolved many of the correlation problems that had previously limited their development. After several tests and adjustments to the front wing design and floor, the correlation returned to expected levels. Engineers believe the aerodynamic platform is now relatively close to the target, providing around 10 points of stable downforce. This allows Verstappen to rebalance the car as he prefers when using less wing. The question remains whether this load can be fully exploited on the tires in circuits with mostly medium to slow corners. “We have to wait and see how we perform on high downforce tracks as well,” Max commented thoughtfully.
The true test will come at the remaining circuits, including Singapore, Austin, and Qatar. What is clear is that McLaren had a disastrous weekend, as their drivers were unable to maximize the potential of the MCL39 due to multiple mistakes, with Oscar Piastri’s errors being particularly significant. The McLaren car is not unbeatable on tracks with long straights and sharp corners, but perfect execution is essential. When execution fails, the Dutch threat becomes even more credible.
Carlos Sainz achieved a podium finish with the Williams ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Singapore is a critical crossroads for many hopes, both large and small. Good fortune rewarded Carlos Sainz for much of the adversity he has faced this year, as his Williams experienced multiple reliability issues while he adjusted to the new car setup. Despite this, Carlos Sainz managed to capitalize on a rare opportunity during Alexander Albon’s worst weekend, allowing him to consolidate Williams’ position in fifth place in the championship standings.
Ferrari has shown little progress with the new suspension. The average qualifying gap remains largely unchanged, but the average points per race have dropped significantly. Despite numerous factors in play, Ferrari’s season has remained largely unremarkable. The most recent upgrade package corresponds to the Austria updates, including a new floor and the suspension introduced at Spa. The car has become more stable in its qualifying reactions, but no significant step forward was observed. The average qualifying gap before the suspension upgrades was 0.376 seconds; after the upgrades, it improved by only 0.040 seconds. The problem lies in overall weekend execution, where Ferrari has averaged 11.8 points per race compared to 17 points before Spa. For one reason or another, this reflects what team boss Frederic Vasseur continues to emphasize: the team is unable to “put everything together.”
Charles Leclerc, often a master of Baku, faced a difficult weekend. Naturally, a mistake in qualifying weighed heavily, but it was not the only factor. The car was unable to maintain optimal race pace when needed, losing 2 kW of electrical power on the straights. “It didn’t cost him half a second, but it’s a problem that doesn’t just make you lose those two tenths—it’s two tenths plus the loss from being behind another car,” Frederic Vasseur explained.
The SF-25 remains deficient in every area and has not evolved further, and the team’s approach—aside from pit stops—too often fails to make a real difference. As the 2026 car evolves, this must remain a major concern for the team’s future planning. Frederic Vasseur has renewed his contract, and it is his responsibility to achieve a significant turnaround with the available resources, including a willingness to make bold decisions in the future. Overall, the Marina Bay circuit in Singapore has become a critical crossroads for teams hoping to realize both major and minor ambitions. Ferrari is part of the second group and may have the best remaining opportunity to at least “score a symbolic goal” in the upcoming races, as explained by F1 expert Giuliano Duchessa for the Italian website autoracer.it.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, September 25, and Friday, September 26, Ferrari and Haas will support Pirelli with a dedicated testing day each at the Autodromo del Mugello. The program will focus on defining the hardest compounds in the tire range, helping the teams better understand tire performance for the remainder of the season.
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