Ferrari may have finally found a solution to the persistent LiCo issue that Bryan Bozzi had repeatedly asked Charles Leclerc to manage. In Mexico, the Monegasque driver appeared freer behind the wheel than in previous rounds, raising the question: has the LiCo problem finally become just a thing of the past?
After the first free practice session, Ferrari had every reason to smile. Charles Leclerc ended FP1 at the top of the timesheets, but what truly encouraged the Scuderia’s fans was the radio message from Bryan Bozzi during the session in Mexico. The recurring LiCo management, which has often affected Charles Leclerc’s races this season, may finally be under control.
Since the very start of the 2025 Formula 1 season, Ferrari has faced several major challenges. Among them, the most critical issue has been the now infamous plank wear. When this wear exceeds the legal limit, it can lead to disqualification — as happened to the team during the Chinese Grand Prix.
To prevent that, Ferrari’s engineers have been forced to raise the ride height of the SF-25. However, this adjustment reduces aerodynamic load and, consequently, overall performance. Even then, the team has often struggled to limit the wear effectively, prompting the need for an additional solution — the well-known LiCo technique.
The “Lift and Coast” approach involves releasing the throttle slightly before the braking zone, allowing the car to glide before applying the brakes. This method helps lower tyre degradation, as well as brake and engine temperatures. For Ferrari, it has also been a tool to reduce the wear on the car’s floor, which has been a recurring issue throughout the season.
However, starting from the last race in Austin, the situation appears to have improved — or at least eased. Leclerc himself had explained after the United States Grand Prix: “There’s something new I tried to play with today, and it really helped me with my driving style.” That progress seems to have carried over into Mexico as well.
During FP1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Bryan Bozzi spoke to Charles Leclerc over team radio, saying: “Charles, do less LiCo.” The Monegasque immediately took the message on board and completed his run plan without interruptions, suggesting Ferrari might have finally turned a corner with one of its most persistent limitations.
