Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has warned that the Scuderia must tighten up its execution over race weekends after a string of disappointing results in recent Grand Prix events. Since clinching victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – their second win in three races – the Italian outfit has seen its championship hopes dwindle. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, remains the sole podium for Ferrari in the last five rounds. The lack of podiums is puzzling because the SF‑26 has continued to demonstrate speed at various points throughout a race weekend.
A recent example came in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the initial runs of Q3, only to start the race from fourth on the grid. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku will test the team’s ability to maintain momentum, as the circuit notoriously punishes even minor mistakes.
"Our car is clearly capable of delivering a strong level of performance," Vasseur said, "but the past few events have shown just how crucial it is to get every element of the weekend right. Baku presents a very specific challenge – confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are absolutely vital." He added that the street circuit can throw a variety of variables at the competitors, meaning the team must stay focused on its own performance, adapt quickly to any changing conditions, and capitalize on every opportunity that arises. Ferrari’s recent slump has put the team’s long‑standing 18‑year world‑title drought further out of reach. Lead driver Charles Leclerc now trails the championship leader by more than 100 points after a retirement in Madrid caused by brake issues, while Ferrari sit 145 points adrift of Mercedes in the Constructors' standings.
Meanwhile, third‑placed McLaren have outscored the Scuderia in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining. On the popular "F1 Show" podcast, former world champion Nico Rosberg echoed Vasseur’s concerns, describing Ferrari’s weekends as consistently “very close” to the front‑running pace but repeatedly undone by poor execution.
Rosberg pointed out that the team’s Achilles’ heel remains its strategic and communication processes. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" he asked, noting that the weakness lies in strategy and the flow of information between the pit wall and the drivers. He emphasized that the car’s speed is "damn close" to challenging for race victories, citing the Madrid race where Hamilton, had he not retired, would likely have finished second behind Max Verstappen, who was instructed to let him pass.
Rosberg argued that Ferrari’s performance is within striking distance, but the team fails to piece together the necessary components to convert that speed into results. Looking ahead to the Baku weekend, the schedule is packed with sessions across both Formula 1 and Formula 2. On Wednesday, September 23, drivers will take part in a press conference at 11 a.m., followed by a paddock interview at 2 p.m.
Thursday sees the start of practice sessions for the F2 championship at 6.55 a.m., with the first F1 practice for Azerbaijan beginning at 9.30 a.m. Qualifying for F2 will follow at 10.55 a.m., and the team bosses will address the media at noon.
A second practice session for the Grand Prix starts at 1 p.m., with the F1 Show airing at 2.15 p.m. Friday’s agenda includes the F2 sprint race at 5.10 a.m., the third practice session for the Azerbaijan GP at 9.30 a.m., and the F2 feature race at 11.10 a.m.
Qualifying for the Grand Prix is slated for 1 p.m., with a post‑qualifying analysis segment at 3 p.m. Saturday features the second F2 feature race at 7.55 a.m., followed by the main Grand Prix start at 10.30 a.m.
The race itself will run around midday, with post‑race reaction and analysis scheduled for the early afternoon. All events will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, and fans can stream the coverage via NOW without a long‑term contract, with the flexibility to cancel at any time.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to deliver a triple‑header of races this week, and the Baku Grand Prix promises high‑stakes action on a demanding street circuit that will test Ferrari’s ability to finally translate raw speed into podium finishes. For Ferrari, the message from Vasseur and Rosberg is clear: the car’s performance is there, but the team must eliminate strategic missteps, improve communication, and execute flawlessly under pressure if they hope to revive their title aspirations and end the nearly two‑decade drought.