Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of delivering flawless weekends after a series 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 dwindled. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, remains the sole podium for Ferrari across the last five rounds. The team's flagship car, the SF‑26, continues to demonstrate speed at various points throughout a race weekend.
A recent example unfolded in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the initial laps of Q3, only to see his grid slot slip to fourth by the session’s end. This volatility highlights the fine margins that separate a strong qualifying performance from a sub‑optimal race start. Now, as the championship heads to the tight, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the importance of driver confidence and error‑free execution becomes even more pronounced.
Baku is notorious for rewarding precision and punishing even minor mistakes, meaning that Ferrari must bring their A‑game to remain competitive. "The recent races have shown that our car is capable of delivering a respectable level of performance," Vasseur explained, "but they have also reminded us how crucial it is to stitch together every element of the weekend – from qualifying to pit‑stop strategy and race‑craft." He added, "Baku presents a very specific set of challenges. Confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are essential.
The circuit can throw a number of variables at us, so we need to stay focused on our own performance, adapt to whatever circumstances arise, and seize every opportunity that comes our way." Ferrari's scarcity of podium finishes has amplified concerns that the team's long‑standing 18‑year world championship drought may become increasingly difficult to overcome this season. In the drivers' standings, Lewis Hamilton has fallen more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli after a brake‑related retirement in Madrid, while Ferrari now trails Mercedes by 145 points in the constructors' tally. Meanwhile, third‑placed McLaren have outscored the Scuderia in each of the last four events, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining.
This steady erosion of Ferrari's lead underscores the urgency of addressing the underlying issues that have hampered their consistency. During an appearance on The F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports F1 analyst and former world champion Nico Rosberg offered his perspective, noting that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the leading pace but are repeatedly let down by their weekend execution. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked rhetorically, pointing to a recurring weakness in strategy and communication. He continued, "Their Achilles' heel remains in the strategic and communication departments.
That's always been a frailty and it persists today. The car's pace is tantalisingly close – almost close enough to challenge for race victories on a regular basis." Rosberg cited the Madrid race as a case in point: "Lewis would have comfortably finished second in the race. He would have taken second place after Max Verstappen let him through, and he would have easily beaten Kimi for the podium. The car's speed is there, but they fail to assemble the pieces correctly.
They need to make progress in that area – that's the core problem they face." Looking ahead, the weekend schedule is packed with sessions that will test Ferrari's ability to adapt and improve. On Wednesday, the drivers' press conference kicks off at 11 am, followed by a paddock uncut interview at 2 pm. Thursday sees the start of Formula 2 practice at 6:55 am, with the Azerbaijan GP practice one beginning at 9:30 am, and the first qualifying session for F2 at 10:55 am.
The team bosses' press conference is slated for noon, and a second practice session for the Grand Prix starts at 1 pm, leading into The F1 Show at 2:15 pm. Friday's agenda includes the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, the third practice session for the Azerbaijan GP at 9:30 am, and the F2 feature race at 11:10 am. Qualifying for the Grand Prix builds up from 12:30 pm, with the official qualifying session commencing at 1 pm, followed by a post‑qualifying analysis segment at 3 pm. Saturday features the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix itself at 10:30 am, and the main race start at noon.
The day concludes with a reaction segment at 2 pm and a final commentary notebook at 3 pm. All of these events are also broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to unfold live on Sky Sports F1, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix marking the start of a triple‑header weekend. Fans can stream the coverage via NOW, enjoying the flexibility of a no‑contract, cancel‑anytime service.
As Ferrari prepares for the demanding Baku circuit, the team’s ability to refine strategy, improve communication, and capitalize on the SF‑26's inherent speed will be pivotal in determining whether they can close the gap to Mercedes and McLaren, and perhaps finally break their long‑standing title drought.