Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has emphasized that the Scuderia must tighten up its weekend performance 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 dwindle. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium proved to be the only podium the team has managed in the five rounds preceding the summer hiatus. 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 – the overall picture has been one of inconsistency.
As the calendar now turns to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur warns that the Scuderia must be at its very best. "The last few races have demonstrated that our car can deliver a good level of competitiveness, but they have also highlighted how important it is to put every part of the weekend together," Vasseur said.
"Baku is a very specific challenge, where confidence in the car and execution are particularly important. It is also a circuit where the weekend can throw up several variables, so we need to stay focused on ourselves, adapt to whatever situations arise and make the most of every opportunity." Ferrari’s recent scarcity of podium finishes has pushed the prospect of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought further out of reach.
The points gap to the leaders has widened dramatically: after Hamilton retired in Madrid with brake issues, he fell more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli for the first time, while Ferrari now trail Mercedes by 145 points in the Constructors' Championship. McLaren, sitting third, have outscored the Scuderia in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races still to run. On the Sky Sports F1 podcast "The F1 Show," former champion Nico Rosberg offered his perspective, noting that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the front‑running pace but repeatedly stumble in the execution of race weekends. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" he asked, before pinpointing strategy and communication as the team’s Achilles' heel.
Rosberg argued that while the car’s speed is "damn close" to challenging for race wins, lapses in tactical decisions and intra‑team messaging prevent that potential from being realized. He cited the Madrid race as an example, suggesting that Hamilton could have comfortably finished second if not for strategic missteps, and that Max Verstappen’s yielding of position would have left Hamilton in a podium spot behind Kimi Antonelli. The criticism underscores a broader narrative that has emerged over the season: Ferrari possess a car capable of competing at the front, yet they lack the flawless execution required on circuits where margins are razor‑thin.
Baku, with its long straight, tight corners, and unforgiving barriers, amplifies any error. A single strategic blunder or a lapse in communication can turn a promising run into a costly retirement. Looking ahead, the weekend schedule is packed.
On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers' press conference will open the day at 11 a.m., followed by a paddock‑uncut session at 2 p.m. Thursday brings a full slate of practice and qualifying sessions across both F2 and F1, culminating in the F1 Show at 2:15 p.m. Friday’s agenda includes the F2 sprint, the third practice session for the Azerbaijan GP, and the crucial qualifying run that will set the grid for the main race. Saturday features the F2 feature race and the Grand Prix itself, with the race slated for midday.
The day will conclude with post‑race analysis, including Ted’s Qualifying Notebook and a reaction segment. Sunday’s programming continues with a build‑up to the race, the live Grand Prix broadcast, and a final chequered‑flag reaction. For fans seeking to follow the action, Sky Sports Main Event will provide live coverage, and the event will also be streamed via NOW, offering a contract‑free option that can be cancelled at any time.
The 2026 Formula 1 season remains a triple‑header of races this week, with the Baku Grand Prix marking a pivotal moment for Ferrari. To close the performance gap, the team must not only harness the raw speed of the SF‑26 but also refine its strategic approach, improve real‑time communication, and ensure that every element of the weekend – from qualifying to the final lap – is executed with precision. Only then can the Scuderia hope to convert its competitive pace into tangible results and revive its quest for a long‑awaited world championship.