Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the need for flawless weekend execution after a series of disappointing outcomes in recent Grands Prix. Since clinching victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – their second win in three races – the Scuderia’s momentum in both the Drivers' and Constructors' Championships has noticeably stalled.
Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, stands as the sole podium for Ferrari across the last five rounds. The SF‑26 continues to demonstrate competitive pace at various points throughout a race weekend. A recent example came at the Madrid circuit, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the initial Q3 runs, only to start the race from fourth on the grid.
As the championship moves to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Vasseur insists that Ferrari must bring their A‑game and avoid the costly errors that have plagued them. "The recent races have shown that the car is capable of delivering strong performance, but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to piece together every element of the weekend," Vasseur said. "Baku presents a very particular challenge where confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are essential.
The circuit can throw many variables at us, so we must stay focused on our own performance, adapt to any situation that arises, and seize every opportunity." Ferrari’s dearth of podium finishes has pushed the team’s hopes of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought further out of reach this season. Lead driver Charles Leclerc now trails the championship leader by over 100 points after a retirement in Madrid due to brake issues, while the Scuderia sits 145 points behind Mercedes in the Constructors' standings. Meanwhile, third‑placed McLaren have outscored Ferrari in each of the last four events, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine rounds remaining. 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 continually falter in translating that speed into race results.
"Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" the 2016 world champion asked. He identified strategy and communication as the team's Achilles' heel, describing them as persistent weaknesses that continue to undermine performance.
Rosberg pointed out that the car’s pace is "damn close" to challenging for race wins, citing the Madrid race as an example where Hamilton would have comfortably finished second had he not been hampered by technical problems. "They are right on the cusp of being able to fight for victories, but they are not putting the pieces together properly," Rosberg said. "They need to make progress in those areas, otherwise the gap will keep widening." The upcoming Baku weekend features a packed schedule. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will take place at 11:00 am, followed by the paddock uncut at 2:00 pm.
Thursday, September 24, sees a full day of action starting with the F2 practice session at 6:55 am, the Azerbaijan GP practice one at 9:30 am, and the F2 qualifying later in the morning. The team bosses' press conference is slated for noon, with practice two beginning at 1:00 pm, and the F1 Show airing at 2:15 pm. Friday, September 25, kicks off with the F2 sprint at 5:10 am, followed by the third practice session for the Grand Prix at 9:30 am. The F2 feature race runs at 11:10 am, and the qualifying build‑up for the Azerbaijan GP begins at 12:30 pm, leading into the official qualifying session at 1:00 pm.
The day concludes with Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3:00 pm. Saturday, September 26, hosts the second F2 feature race at 7:55 am, the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 am, and the main event – the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – starting at midday. Post‑race coverage includes a reaction segment at 2:00 pm and Ted's Notebook at 3:00 pm. All sessions marked with an asterisk will also be broadcast 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 forming part of a triple‑header of races. Viewers can stream the coverage via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the ability to cancel at any time.
As the Scuderia heads into Baku, the pressure is on Vasseur and his engineers to iron out strategic missteps, improve intra‑team communication, and ensure that the SF‑26’s raw speed translates into podium finishes. Only by mastering these elements can Ferrari hope to revive their title aspirations and close the widening gap to Mercedes and McLaren in the remaining races of the season.