Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the necessity of flawless weekend execution after a string of disappointing outcomes in recent Grands Prix. The Scuderia’s fortunes have taken a noticeable dip since their victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – a win that marked their second triumph in three races.
Since then, the championship battles have slipped away, with Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium standing as the sole podium for the team across the last five events before the summer hiatus. Despite the SF‑26 still showing flashes of competitiveness at various points during a race weekend – most recently in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole in the early stages of Q3 only to start the race from fourth on the grid – Ferrari has struggled to convert speed into results. The upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the tight, wall‑lined streets of Baku will test the team’s ability to maintain momentum and avoid costly errors, a scenario Vasseur says demands the Scuderia be operating at peak efficiency.
"The recent races have proved that our car can be genuinely competitive, but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to bring every element of the weekend together," Vasseur explained. "Baku presents a very particular challenge where confidence in the car and flawless execution are essential. The circuit can throw a number of variables at us, so we must stay focused on our own performance, adapt to whatever situations arise, and extract the maximum from every opportunity." Ferrari’s dwindling podium appearances have made the prospect of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought appear increasingly remote this season.
Lead driver Charles Leclerc has slipped more than 100 points behind Mercedes’ champion Lewis Hamilton after Hamilton retired from the Madrid race due to brake issues, while the Scuderia now trails the Constructors’ standings by 145 points. McLaren, currently third in the championship, have outscored Ferrari in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining.
On the F1 Show podcast, former champion Nico Rosberg, who works as a Sky Sports analyst, pointed out that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the front‑running pace but are repeatedly let down by their weekend execution. "Isn’t it true that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked, referring to the team’s historic struggles with strategy and communication.
"Their Achilles’ heel remains in the strategic and communication departments. That’s always been a weakness and it still is today." Rosberg continued, noting that the car’s performance is "damn close" to challenging for race wins. He cited the Madrid event as an example, saying that Hamilton would have comfortably finished second had he not been forced to retire, and that he would likely have beaten Kimi Antonelli for the podium.
"They are very close. They just aren’t putting it together properly, and they need to make progress in that area. That is the main problem they face," the former world champion concluded. The upcoming Baku weekend is packed with sessions and events.
On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers’ press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by a paddock‑uncut interview at 2 p.m. Thursday sees F2 practice at 6:55 a.m., the first Azerbaijan GP practice at 9 a.m., and the team bosses’ press conference at noon. Qualifying for the Grand Prix is slated for 1 p.m., with a post‑qualifying analysis on The F1 Show at 3 p.m. Friday’s agenda includes the F2 sprint race at 5:10 a.m., the third practice session for the Azerbaijan GP at 9:15 a.m., and the F2 feature race at 11:10 a.m.
Qualifying builds up at 12:30 p.m., leading to the official qualifying session at 1 p.m., followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 26, will host 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 reaction and analysis will be broadcast at 2 p.m., with Ted’s Notebook concluding the coverage at 3 p.m. All of these sessions will also be streamed 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 kicking off a triple‑header of races. Viewers can stream Sky Sports 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. The team must translate the latent speed of the SF‑26 into consistent, error‑free performances. If they can tighten their strategic calls, improve internal communication, and maintain composure under the pressure of a street circuit, they may yet revive their championship hopes.
Otherwise, the gap to Mercedes and the increasingly competitive midfield could widen further, leaving the Scuderia’s title aspirations in jeopardy as the season progresses.