Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has emphasized that the Scuderia must tighten up its weekend execution after a string of disappointing outcomes in recent races. Since clinching victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – their second win in three events – Ferrari's momentum in both the Drivers' and Constructors' championships has noticeably waned. Charles Leclerc’s runner‑up finish in Belgium, recorded just before the summer hiatus, stands as the sole podium the team has secured across the last five rounds.
Despite the SF‑26 still showing flashes of speed at various points throughout a race weekend – most recently in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the initial Q3 runs only to start the race from fourth – the overall package has not consistently translated into results. As the squad heads to the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where driver confidence is paramount and even minor errors are swiftly penalised, Vasseur insists that Ferrari must bring its A‑game. "The recent races have proved that our car is capable of delivering a respectable level of performance, but they have also underlined how crucial it is to get every element of the weekend right," Vasseur explained. "Baku presents a very specific challenge; confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are especially vital.
The circuit can throw a number of variables at us, so we need to stay focused on our own work, adapt to whatever situations arise, and squeeze the maximum out of every opportunity." Ferrari's dwindling podium appearances have pushed the team’s hopes of ending an 18‑year world championship drought further out of reach this season. After Hamilton fell more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli – a rare occurrence following his retirement in Madrid due to brake issues – Ferrari now trail Mercedes by 145 points in the Constructors' standings.
Meanwhile, third‑placed McLaren have outscored the Scuderia in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining. On the recent episode of The F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports F1 analyst and former world champion Nico Rosberg pointed out that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the front‑running pace, yet their weekend execution continues to let them down. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked rhetorically. "Their Achilles' heel remains strategy and communication – long‑standing weaknesses that still plague them today.
The car's pace is almost there – it's damn close to being able to challenge for race wins on a regular basis." Rosberg illustrated his point with the Madrid race, noting that Hamilton would likely have finished second had he not retired, and that he could have comfortably taken second place behind Max Verstappen after Verstappen yielded. "They're very close," Rosberg said. "They're just not putting it together properly, and they need to make progress in that area. That's the main problem they face." Looking ahead, the weekend schedule is packed with sessions across both Formula 1 and Formula 2.
On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the paddock uncut at 2 p.m. Thursday brings F2 practice at 6:55 a.m., the first Azerbaijan GP practice session at 9:30 a.m., and F2 qualifying at 10:55 a.m.
The team bosses' press conference is slated for noon, with the second practice session starting at 1 p.m. and the F1 Show airing at 2:15 p.m. Friday's agenda includes the F2 sprint at 5:10 a.m., the third practice session at 9:30 a.m., and the F2 feature race at 11:10 a.m. Qualifying for the Azerbaijan GP will take place at 1 p.m., with the official qualifying session kicking off at 1 p.m.
as well. The day concludes with Ted's Qualifying Notebook at 3 p.m.
Saturday, September 26, sees the second F2 feature race at 7:55 a.m., followed by the Grand Prix build‑up at 10:30 a.m. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix itself will start at noon, with the chequered flag ceremony and post‑race reaction scheduled for 2 p.m. Ted's Notebook will wrap up the coverage at 3 p.m. All sessions marked with an asterisk will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports F1, with streaming available via NOW – no long‑term contract required and cancellable at any time. The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to deliver high‑octane drama, and Ferrari will be under intense scrutiny in Baku as they strive to convert their latent speed into tangible results and revive their championship aspirations.