Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underscored the need for flawless execution over a race weekend after the Scuderia endured a string of disappointing outcomes in recent events. Since clinching victory at the British Grand Prix in early July – their second win in three races – Ferrari'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, remains the sole podium for the team across the last five rounds. Despite the SF‑26 still showing flashes of speed at various points throughout a weekend – most recently in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole in the opening segment of Q3 only to start the race from fourth – the overall package has not translated into consistent results.
With the Azerbaijan Grand Prix looming on the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku, a circuit that punishes even minor errors, Vasseur insists that Ferrari must bring their A‑game. "The past few races have proven that the car is capable of delivering a respectable level of 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 paramount. It is also a venue where a multitude of variables can emerge over the course of a weekend, so we need to remain focused on ourselves, adapt to any situation that arises, and extract the maximum from every opportunity." Ferrari's recent scarcity of podium finishes has made the prospect of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought appear increasingly remote.
In the drivers' standings, Lewis Hamilton fell more than 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli for the first time after retiring from the Madrid race with brake issues, while Ferrari now trail Mercedes by 145 points in the constructors' championship. Meanwhile, third‑placed McLaren have outscored Ferrari in each of the last four rounds, narrowing the gap to just 52 points with nine races remaining in the season. On the Sky Sports F1 podcast "The F1 Show," former champion Nico Rosberg pointed out that Ferrari are consistently "very close" to the front‑running pace but continue to falter in their weekend execution. "Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked, referencing a long‑standing perception of the team.
"Their Achilles' heel remains strategy and communication – areas that have historically been weak and still are today. The car's pace is almost there – it's damn close to being able to challenge for consistent race wins. Even in Madrid, let's not forget, Lewis would have comfortably finished second had Max Verstappen let him through.
He would have easily taken second place behind Kimi. They're very close. They're just not putting it together properly, and they really need to make progress on that.
That's the main problem they're facing." The upcoming Baku weekend features a packed schedule. On Wednesday, September 23, the drivers' press conference is set for 11 am, followed by the paddock uncut at 2 pm. Thursday sees the start of Formula 2 practice at 6.55 am, with the Azerbaijan GP practice sessions beginning at 9.30 am.
Qualifying for the F2 race and the F1 Grand Prix are slated for later in the day, along with a team bosses' press conference at noon. Friday's agenda includes the F2 sprint, the third practice session for the Grand Prix, and the F2 feature race, before the crucial qualifying session for the Azerbaijan GP, which will determine the grid for the Saturday showdown.
The Saturday program culminates with the Grand Prix itself, a post‑race reaction segment, and analysis from the popular "Ted's Notebook" column. All events will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with additional streaming available via NOW, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option.
The 2026 Formula 1 season continues to deliver high‑octane action, and the Baku race represents a pivotal moment for Ferrari. To close the title gap, the Scuderia must translate the evident speed of the SF‑26 into flawless race‑weekend performance, eliminating strategic missteps and improving communication within the pit wall. Only by mastering these elements can they hope to challenge Mercedes and McLaren, reclaim podium positions, and keep alive the dream of ending their long‑standing championship drought.