Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of flawless weekend execution after a string of costly results in recent Grand Prix outings. 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 dwindled.
Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, recorded just before the summer hiatus, stands as the sole podium for Ferrari across the last five rounds. Despite the SF‑26 still showing flashes of speed at various points during a race weekend – most recently in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position in the opening laps of Q3 only to start the race from fourth on the grid – the team has struggled to translate that raw pace into consistent results. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku will test the squad’s ability to stay composed, as the circuit notoriously punishes even minor mistakes. "The recent races have proved that the car is capable of delivering a respectable level of performance," Vasseur said, "but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to bring every element of the weekend together.
Baku presents a very specific challenge where confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are paramount." He added, "The street circuit can throw a multitude of variables at us, so we must keep our focus on our own performance, adapt to any situation that arises, and squeeze the maximum out of every opportunity." Ferrari’s dwindling podium tally has made the prospect of ending an 18‑year world championship drought appear increasingly remote. After Hamilton’s retirement in Madrid due to brake failure, he fell more than 100 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli for the first time, while Ferrari now trail Mercedes by 145 points in the Constructors' standings.
McLaren, sitting third, have outscored the Italian team in each of the last four events, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine rounds remaining in the season. During an appearance on The F1 Show podcast, former world champion and Sky Sports F1 analyst Nico Rosberg pointed out 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?" the 2016 champion asked. "Their Achilles' heel remains strategy and communication – areas that have always been a weakness and still are today." Rosberg emphasized that the car’s speed is "damn close" to being able to challenge for race wins on a regular basis.
He cited the Madrid race as an example, noting that Hamilton would have comfortably finished second had Max Verstappen allowed him through, and would likely have taken second place behind Antonelli without any trouble. "They’re right on the cusp," Rosberg said. "They just aren’t putting the pieces together properly, and they need to make progress in that department.
That’s the main problem they’re facing." The schedule for the Azerbaijan weekend is packed. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers will gather for a press conference at 11 a.m., followed by the Paddock Uncut at 2 p.m. Thursday sees a full day of action: F2 practice at 6:55 a.m., the first Azerbaijan GP practice session beginning at 9:30 a.m., F2 qualifying at 10:55 a.m., the team bosses' press conference at noon, the second practice session at 12:30 p.m.
(starting at 1 p.m.), and The F1 Show at 2:15 p.m. Friday, September 25, kicks off with the F2 sprint at 5:10 a.m., followed by the third practice session at 9:15 a.m.
(also starting at 9:30 a.m.). The F2 feature race runs at 11:10 a.m., after which the build‑up to qualifying begins at 12:30 p.m. The Azerbaijan GP qualifying session starts at 1 p.m., with Ted’s Qualifying Notebook airing at 3 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, features the second F2 feature race at 7:55 a.m., the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 a.m., and the main event – the Azerbaijan Grand Prix – at noon. Post‑race analysis, including a chequered‑flag reaction and Ted’s Notebook, will follow in the afternoon. All sessions marked with an asterisk will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to be streamed on Sky Sports F1 via NOW, with no long‑term contract required and the option to cancel at any time. For Ferrari, the Baku race represents a pivotal moment. If Vasseur and his engineers can iron out the strategic missteps and improve communication, the Scuderia could convert the SF‑26’s evident speed into tangible results.
Conversely, any further slip‑ups could widen the gap to Mercedes and McLaren, making a championship comeback increasingly unlikely. The weekend will test not only the drivers’ skill but also the team’s ability to deliver a seamless, error‑free performance under the intense pressure of a street‑circuit showdown.