Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of flawless weekend execution after a string of disappointing results in recent Grands Prix. The Scuderia’s momentum has stalled since their triumph at the British Grand Prix in early July – a victory that marked their second win in three races – and the team’s championship aspirations have begun to look increasingly tenuous. Following the victory in Britain, the only podium finish for Ferrari over the next five rounds came when Charles Leclerc secured second place at the Belgian Grand Prix just before the summer hiatus. Since then, the Scuderia has struggled to convert the apparent speed of the SF-26 into consistent points hauls.
The car has shown flashes of competitiveness at various stages of a race weekend, most notably in Madrid where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position during the opening laps of Q3, only to be relegated to fourth on the final grid. As the championship moves to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur warns that the team must be at its absolute best. "The recent races have proved that our car can be genuinely quick, but they have also reminded us how vital it is to bring every element of the weekend together," he said.
"Baku presents a very particular challenge – confidence in the car and flawless execution are paramount. 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 squeeze the maximum out of every opportunity." Ferrari's dearth of podium finishes has widened the gap in the fight for an end to the 18‑year world‑title drought that has haunted the team for nearly two decades.
The points deficit to championship leader Mercedes has ballooned to 145 points in the Constructors' standings, while the lead driver, Lewis Hamilton, fell more than 100 points behind the emergent star Kimi Antonelli after a brake‑related retirement in Madrid. Meanwhile, third‑placed McLaren have outscored Ferrari in each of the last four events, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining.
On the Sky Sports F1 podcast The F1 Show, former world champion Nico Rosberg weighed in on Ferrari’s predicament. He observed that the Scuderia is "consistently very close" to the front‑running pace but repeatedly squanders that potential through poor weekend execution. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked rhetorically.
"Their Achilles' heel remains strategy and communication – areas that have long been a weakness and continue to be so today." Rosberg pointed out that the car’s speed is "damn close" to being able to challenge for race victories on a regular basis. He cited the Madrid race as an example, noting that Hamilton would have comfortably finished second had he not suffered a brake failure, and that he could have easily taken a podium spot behind Kimi Antonelli.
"They are so close," Rosberg said. "They just aren’t putting it together properly, and they need to make progress in that regard. That is the main problem they face." The upcoming weekend’s schedule is packed with activities for fans and teams alike.
On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers will gather for a press conference at 11 am, followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2 pm. Thursday, September 24, begins with an early F2 practice session at 6:55 am, then the Azerbaijan GP Practice One at 9:30 am, F2 qualifying at 10:55 am, and a team bosses' press conference at noon.
Practice Two starts at 1 pm, and the F1 Show airs at 2:15 pm. Friday’s agenda includes the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 9:30 am, and the F2 feature race at 11:10 am. Qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP is slated for 1 pm, with a build‑up segment at 12:30 pm and the official qualifying session at 1 pm, followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3 pm. Saturday, September 26, sees the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, the final practice session for the Grand Prix at 10:30 am, and the main race itself at midday.
The day concludes with a build‑up segment, the live broadcast of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a post‑race reaction at 2 pm, and Ted’s Notebook at 3 pm. All of these sessions will also be streamed live on Sky Sports Main Event. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 throughout the week, with the Azerbaijan Grand Prix kicking off a triple‑header of races. Viewers can stream Sky Sports via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the freedom to cancel at any time.
In summary, Ferrari faces a pivotal moment in Baku. The team’s technical package appears capable of challenging the front‑runners, but strategic missteps and communication lapses have repeatedly undermined their performance. Vasseur’s call for flawless execution is a clear acknowledgment that the margins are razor‑thin on a circuit where a single error can erase any advantage.
If Ferrari can tighten their operational processes, capitalize on the inherent speed of the SF‑26, and avoid the strategic blunders that have plagued them this season, they may yet revive their championship hopes and bring an end to a long‑standing title drought.