Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has repeatedly warned that the Scuderia must tighten up its weekend execution after a string of disappointing results in recent Grands Prix. 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 wane. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, remains the only podium the team has secured across the last five rounds.
Despite the SF-26 still showing flashes of speed at various points during a race weekend – most notably in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton briefly topped provisional Q3 before ultimately starting fourth – Ferrari has struggled to convert that pace into consistent top‑three finishes. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix on the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku will test the team’s ability to deliver under pressure, as any mistake is quickly punished on the unforgiving circuit.
"The recent races have proven that our car can be competitive, but they have also underlined how crucial it is to bring every element of the weekend together," Vasseur told reporters. "Baku presents a very specific challenge where confidence in the car and flawless execution are essential. The circuit can throw a number of variables at us, so we must stay focused on our own performance, adapt to any situation that arises, and seize every opportunity." Ferrari's scarcity of podiums has made the prospect of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought appear increasingly remote this season.
After Hamilton’s retirement in Madrid due to brake issues, the points gap between the leading Mercedes driver and Kimi Antonelli widened to over 100 points, while the Scuderia now trails the Constructors' standings by 145 points. McLaren, currently third in the championship, have outscored Ferrari in each of the last four events and have closed the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining.
On the popular "F1 Show" podcast, former champion Nico Rosberg offered a blunt assessment of Ferrari’s situation. He noted that the team is "consistently very close" to the front‑running pace but continually falters in the execution of race weekends.
"Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked, adding that the Scuderia’s Achilles' heel remains strategy and communication. "That has always been a weakness and it still is today. The car’s speed is almost there – it’s damn close to being able to challenge for race wins. Even in Madrid, Lewis would have comfortably finished second once Max Verstappen let him through.
He would have taken second place behind Kimi without difficulty. They’re very close; they just aren’t putting it together properly, and they need to make progress in that area. That's the main problem they’re facing." The upcoming Baku weekend is packed with sessions across both Formula 1 and Formula 2.
On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers will gather for a press conference at 11:00 am, followed by a paddock interview at 2:00 pm. Thursday’s schedule includes early‑morning F2 practice, the first Azerbaijan GP practice at 9:30 am, and a team‑bosses press conference at noon, before the second practice session and the F1 Show at 2:15 pm. Friday sees the F2 sprint, the third practice session for the Grand Prix, and the crucial qualifying session that will set the grid for the race. Saturday will feature the F2 feature race and the main event – the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – which will start around midday.
The day will conclude with post‑race analysis and reaction segments. For fans, the race will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available through the NOW platform, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option. The Baku street circuit, known for its high‑speed straights juxtaposed against tight, twisty sections, rewards drivers who can maintain confidence while managing tyre wear and fuel strategy. Ferrari’s ability to adapt their pit‑stop timing, avoid communication lapses, and execute a clean race plan will be under intense scrutiny.
In summary, Vasseur’s message is clear: the SF-26 has the raw speed to challenge the front‑runners, but without flawless weekend execution – particularly in strategy calls and intra‑team communication – those chances will continue to slip away. Rosberg’s critique underscores that Ferrari’s primary obstacle is not the car’s performance but the way the team orchestrates its race‑weekend operations.
As the Scuderia heads into Baku, the pressure to convert potential into points will be immense, and every decision from the pit wall to the driver’s seat could determine whether Ferrari can revive its title aspirations or watch the gap to Mercedes and McLaren widen further.