Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of flawless weekend execution after the Scuderia endured a string of disappointing results in recent events. Since clinching victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – their second win in three races – Ferrari’s contention in both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships has steadily waned. 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 competitiveness at various points throughout a race weekend – most notably in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the early runs of Q3 only to start the race from fourth on the grid – the Scuderia has struggled to convert speed into results.
As the calendar turns to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a venue where driver momentum is paramount and any mistake is quickly punished, Vasseur insists that Ferrari must bring their A‑game. "The recent races have demonstrated that our car is capable of delivering a solid level of performance, but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to piece together every element of the weekend," Vasseur said. "Baku presents a very specific challenge; confidence in the car and flawless execution are especially important there. It is also a circuit that can throw a number of variables at you over the course of a weekend, so we need to stay focused on ourselves, adapt to any situation that arises, and maximise every opportunity." Ferrari’s scarcity of podium finishes has made the prospect of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought appear increasingly remote this season.
After Hamilton fell more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli for the first time – following a retirement in Madrid due to brake failure – the Scuderia now trails Mercedes by 145 points 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 still to run. During an appearance on The F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports F1 analyst and former world champion Nico Rosberg observed that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the leading pace, yet their weekend execution continues to let them down. "Isn’t it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked, pointing to a long‑standing Achilles’ heel in strategy and communication.
"That has always been a weakness and it remains one today. The car’s pace is almost, damn close, to being able to challenge for race wins on a regular basis. Even in Madrid, let’s not forget, Lewis would have comfortably finished second – he would have taken second place after Max Verstappen let him through. He would have easily been runner‑up behind Kimi.
They are very close; they just aren’t putting it together properly, and they need to make progress on that. That’s the main problem they face." The upcoming Baku weekend is packed with sessions that will test the team’s ability to adapt quickly. On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers’ press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by a paddock‑uncut interview at 2 p.m. Thursday sees a busy programme: an early F2 practice at 6.55 a.m., the Azerbaijan GP Practice One at 9 a.m.
(with the session officially starting at 9.30 a.m.), F2 qualifying at 10.55 a.m., and the team bosses’ press conference at noon. Practice Two commences at 12.30 p.m.
(session start at 1 p.m.), and the F1 Show airs at 2.15 p.m. Friday, September 25, begins with an F2 sprint at 5.10 a.m., followed by Practice Three for the Grand Prix at 9.15 a.m. (again starting at 9.30 a.m.).
The day continues with the F2 Feature Race 1 at 11.10 a.m., a build‑up to qualifying at 12.30 p.m., and the Azerbaijan GP Qualifying itself at 1 p.m., with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3 p.m. Saturday’s schedule includes the second F2 Feature Race at 7.55 a.m., the Grand Prix start at 10.30 a.m., and a build‑up to the main event. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself kicks off at noon, with the chequered flag ceremony and post‑race reaction slated for 2 p.m., followed by Ted’s Notebook at 3 p.m.
All of these sessions will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, and the race weekend will also be available for streaming via Sky Sports with NOW – a subscription‑free option that can be cancelled at any time. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to unfold with a triple‑header of races, and the Baku round promises high‑stakes action on a Saturday midday slot. For Ferrari, the challenge is clear: turn the evident speed of the SF‑26 into consistent, race‑winning performances by tightening up strategy calls, improving intra‑team communication, and ensuring that every element of the weekend – from qualifying to pit stops – operates without error. Only by doing so can they hope to close the widening gap to Mercedes and McLaren, and keep alive the dream of finally ending their long‑standing title drought.