Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has underlined the necessity of flawless weekend execution after a series of disappointing results in recent Grand Prix events. 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 waned. Charles Leclerc’s second‑place finish in Belgium, achieved just before the summer hiatus, stands as the only podium the team has secured across the last five rounds. Despite the SF‑26 still demonstrating competitive speed at various points during race weekends – most recently in Madrid, where Lewis Hamilton posted a provisional pole position after the opening laps of Q3 only to start the race from fourth on the grid – Ferrari has struggled to translate raw pace into consistent results.
As the squad prepares for the narrow, wall‑lined streets of Baku for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a venue where driver confidence and error‑free performance are paramount, Vasseur insists the team must be operating at peak efficiency. "The recent races have shown that our car can produce a solid level of performance, but they have also highlighted how crucial it is to piece together every element of the weekend correctly," Vasseur explained. "Baku presents a very particular challenge; confidence in the machinery and flawless execution are essential.
The circuit can throw a number of variables at us, so we need to stay focused on our own work, adapt to any situation that arises, and seize every opportunity." Ferrari's scarcity of podium finishes has made the prospect of ending an 18‑year world‑title drought appear increasingly remote this season. Lead driver Charles Leclerc has fallen more than 100 points behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli after retiring from the Madrid race with brake issues, while the Scuderia now trails the Silver Arrows by 145 points in the Constructors' standings. 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. On the recent episode of The F1 Show podcast, Sky Sports F1 analyst and former champion Nico Rosberg observed that Ferrari are "consistently very close" to the front‑running pace but repeatedly stumble due to poor weekend execution.
"Isn't it the case that Ferrari always have messy weekends?" Rosberg asked. He pinpointed strategy and communication as the team's Achilles' heel, noting that these weaknesses have persisted over the years. "The car's pace is almost there – it's damn close to being able to challenge for race wins. Yet even in Madrid, Lewis would have comfortably finished second if Max Verstappen had let him through.
He would have easily taken second place behind Kimi," Rosberg added. Rosberg emphasized that the Scuderia's proximity to the top is undermined by their inability to put everything together: "They're very close. They're just not putting it together properly. They really need to make progress on that.
That's the main problem they're facing." Looking ahead, the weekend schedule is packed with sessions that will test Ferrari's ability to improve their execution. On Wednesday, September 23, a drivers' press conference is set for 11 am, followed by a paddock uncut interview at 2 pm. Thursday brings the start of F2 practice at 6:55 am, with the Azerbaijan GP practice one beginning at 9:30 am, followed by F2 qualifying, a team bosses' press conference, and a second practice session. The F1 Show airs at 2:15 pm.
Friday's agenda includes the F2 sprint, the third practice session, the F2 feature race, and the crucial qualifying sessions for both F2 and the Azerbaijan GP, culminating in a qualifying notebook from Ted. Saturday, September 26, features the F2 feature race, the Grand Prix build‑up, the main race itself at midday, post‑race reaction, and another notebook segment.
All of these events will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event, with additional streaming available via NOW, offering a contract‑free, cancel‑anytime option. For fans seeking the most accessible viewing experience, Chrome is recommended for optimal video playback. In summary, Ferrari enters the Baku weekend with a clear target: to transform the evident speed of the SF‑26 into consistent, race‑winning performances by tightening strategy, improving communication, and delivering flawless execution across every session. The stakes are high, the margins thin, and the pressure intense, but a well‑orchestrated weekend could reignite the Scuderia's title hopes and bring them one step closer to ending their long‑standing championship drought.