Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of delivering flawless weekends after a string of disappointing 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 waned. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, remains the sole podium for Ferrari across the last five events.
Despite the SF‑26 still showing promise at various points throughout a race weekend – most recently in Madrid where Lewis Hamilton briefly topped provisional Q3 before ultimately qualifying fourth – the team has struggled to translate that speed into consistent results. As the calendar now turns to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur insists that Ferrari must bring their A‑game and avoid the costly errors that have plagued them. "The recent races have proved that our car is capable of being competitive, but they have also highlighted how vital it is to piece together every element of the weekend correctly," Vasseur explained. "Baku presents a very particular challenge where confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are essential.
The circuit can throw a number of variables at you, so we need to stay focused on our own performance, adapt to any situation that arises, and seize every opportunity that presents itself." Ferrari's dwindling podium tally has pushed the team’s aspirations of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought further out of reach this season. Lead driver Charles Leclerc now trails the championship leader by more than 100 points after a retirement in Madrid caused by brake issues, while the Scuderia sits 145 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' standings. Meanwhile, third‑placed McLaren have outscored Ferrari in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining. On the recent episode of The F1 Show podcast, former champion Nico Rosberg commented that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the front‑running pace but repeatedly falter due to poor 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 so today." Rosberg went on to point out that the car's performance is "damn close" to challenging for race victories.
He cited the Madrid race, noting that Hamilton would have comfortably finished second had he not been forced to retire, and that Max Verstappen had to let him through. "They are on the cusp of being able to fight for wins, but they are not putting the pieces together properly.
They need to make progress in that area – that is the main problem they face," Rosberg concluded. Looking ahead, the schedule for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend is packed with sessions across both Formula 1 and Formula 2.
On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will take place at 11:00 am, followed by the paddock uncut at 2:00 pm. Thursday, September 24, begins with an F2 practice at 6:55 am, then the first F1 practice session at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, and the team bosses' press conference at noon.
A second practice session starts at 1:00 pm, with The F1 Show airing at 2:15 pm. Friday, September 25, features the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, the third F1 practice at 9:30 am, the F2 feature race at 11:10 am, and the build‑up to qualifying at 12:30 pm. Qualifying itself is slated for 1:00 pm, followed by Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm.
Saturday, September 26, includes the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix start at 10:30 am, and the main race at noon, with post‑race analysis and reaction segments throughout the afternoon. All of these events will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with the added convenience of streaming via NOW – a contract‑free service that can be cancelled at any time. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to deliver high‑octane action, and Ferrari will be under intense scrutiny as they aim to rectify their strategic and communicative shortcomings in Baku. Their ability to harness the inherent speed of the SF‑26, avoid costly mistakes, and execute flawless race strategies could determine whether they remain in contention for the championship or watch their title hopes slip further away.