Since the beginning of the season, Scuderia Ferrari has been forced to deal with the recurring issue of lift and coast — a term that has become all too familiar for the team and its drivers. Even Charles Leclerc has grown increasingly frustrated, and during the Singapore Grand Prix he let his anger show over team radio, complaining about the endless need to manage pace and resources. Once again, the discussion about lift and coast returned within the Ferrari garage at Marina Bay. Let’s take a closer look at what this technique actually means and what kind of advantages it can bring in Formula 1.
What is the purpose of lift and coast?
The expression “lift and coast” — often shortened to “LiCo” by engineers — describes a very common technique in modern Formula 1 racing. The meaning is literally in the name: “lift” refers to the driver lifting their foot off the accelerator pedal earlier than usual, and “coast” refers to letting the car roll or glide toward the braking point without applying throttle. During this phase, the car slows down primarily due to aerodynamic drag rather than mechanical braking.
In practice, this technique is applied before the normal braking zone. The driver lifts off the throttle earlier than they would in a full-attack lap, allowing the airflow and resistance to naturally decelerate the car before applying the brakes. The precise position and duration of lift and coast vary depending on the race situation, the circuit, and the team’s current objectives. Engineers might instruct the driver to use LiCo for several strategic reasons.
The main advantages of lift and coast
There are several benefits that teams can gain by asking their drivers to perform lift and coast. The first and most obvious is fuel saving. By lifting off the accelerator earlier, the engine runs at lower revs and consumes less fuel over the course of the race. In a sport where every kilogram matters, saving even a small amount of fuel can make a difference in car balance and performance during a Grand Prix.
Another major benefit is tyre management. When the driver eases off the throttle sooner and brakes less aggressively, the stress and temperature on the tyres are reduced. This leads to slower degradation and allows the driver to extend the life of each tyre set — a crucial factor in managing race strategy and pit stop timing. At the same time, the more progressive deceleration helps the car’s hybrid system optimize energy recovery under braking, improving the efficiency of the ERS (Energy Recovery System) and contributing to overall performance.
During the Singapore Grand Prix, Ferrari once again faced significant difficulties with brake temperatures. The circuit’s stop-and-go layout, combined with the high humidity and lack of airflow, makes thermal management particularly challenging. Lewis Hamilton was also seen struggling at Marina Bay, being forced to cut chicanes several times — actions that led to a penalty from the FIA. In Ferrari’s case, this could have been one of the reasons why the pit wall instructed Charles Leclerc to apply lift and coast more aggressively than usual. The technique helps keep brake temperatures under control since the car decelerates more gradually, reducing the mechanical stress on the braking system.
Additionally, lift and coast can help regulate engine temperatures. By spending more time coasting and less time under full throttle, the engine experiences fewer thermal spikes, which contributes to reliability and prevents overheating — a particularly relevant factor for Ferrari given the hot conditions and limited cooling opportunities at street circuits like Singapore.
Lift and coast and Ferrari’s ongoing struggles
There is another, less obvious reason why Ferrari might be applying this method so frequently in 2025: the preservation of the car’s plank. The plank — the wooden board attached to the bottom of the car — plays a critical role in ensuring that ride height stays within the regulations. Excessive wear on the plank can lead to disqualification, as seen in several controversial cases in recent seasons.
Throughout the year, Ferrari has faced repeated challenges related to floor wear and bottoming out. These issues are closely linked to how low the car is run to generate aerodynamic downforce. When the car hits the track surface too often, the plank can wear down quickly. By asking drivers to use lift and coast, the team reduces the forces acting on the floor during braking and corner entry, which in turn helps to preserve the plank over the race distance.
This constant need for management has been a major source of frustration for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque driver in particular has made it clear that the current level of car management required — from tyres to brakes to fuel — is preventing him from pushing the SF-25 to its full potential during races. Fans of the Scuderia have also expressed growing impatience with the team’s ongoing struggles, hoping that the frequent reliance on techniques like lift and coast will soon come to an end.
In conclusion, while lift and coast can offer important technical and strategic advantages — from saving fuel to managing temperatures and protecting components — the fact that Ferrari must rely on it so often highlights the team’s broader performance limitations. In Formula 1, every second counts, and when drivers are forced to focus on management rather than pure speed, it usually means there is still work to be done on the car’s balance and efficiency. The hope for Ferrari fans is that the team will soon find the consistency and pace needed to move beyond this constant compromise.
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