Carlo Vanzini, well-known Formula 1 commentator for Sky Sport, has revealed one of the possible reasons behind Ferrari’s excessive use of Lift and Coast during recent Grands Prix. This technique, which involves drivers lifting off the throttle earlier and coasting into braking zones to save fuel or manage temperatures, has become one of the central talking points for fans of the Scuderia in the early stages of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The Italian racing team has been asking both of its drivers to adopt this fuel-saving driving style frequently—even from the opening laps of races. This pattern was once again observed at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, where both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were instructed to manage fuel consumption from the very beginning. These instructions have sparked debate and concern among the Tifosi, the passionate global fanbase of Ferrari, who are eager to understand the technical or strategic motivations behind this conservative approach.
The technical reasons behind Ferrari’s Lift and Coast
In one of his regular YouTube analysis videos, Carlo Vanzini delved deeper into the issue, offering some valuable insights. He clarified that the instruction to perform Lift and Coast was not limited to Charles Leclerc, even though much of the commentary during the race focused on him due to his podium battle. According to the Italian, “Both Ferrari drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, were asked to do Lift and Coast. In the broadcast, we paid more attention to Charles because he was in the fight for the top three, but the request was made to both drivers.”
Carlo Vanzini went on to highlight a possible technical explanation: “One theory is that Ferrari opted for significantly narrower brake duct openings compared to Mercedes. This setup would have given them an aerodynamic advantage in qualifying, where minimizing drag and maximizing downforce is crucial. However, this also meant they had to manage brake temperatures very carefully during the race. That’s why the team kept reminding both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to use Lift and Coast—to help regulate various temperature-sensitive components, particularly the brakes.”
According to Vanzini, despite the need to compromise on aggressive race pace, the strategy still yielded decent performance. “The choice paid off, although when the drivers didn’t lift, their pace was comparable to McLaren’s,” he noted.
The gap to McLaren and expectations for upcoming races
Despite the strategy’s effectiveness in some aspects, Ferrari still appears to be trailing its main rivals. “The fact remains,” Vanzini said, “that the gap to McLaren is still significant. Unless they’re racing on specific circuits that suit the SF-25 better, it will be difficult for Ferrari to fight for victories consistently.”
Looking ahead, Vanzini pointed to the next round in the 2025 F1 calendar. “Silverstone should be an ideal track for the two McLaren drivers. I would actually be surprised if they don’t dominate there,” he added, underlining just how competitive the Woking-based team has become this season.
With strategic trade-offs like these becoming more visible, Ferrari continues to walk a fine line between qualifying performance and race-day management—something that could make all the difference as the championship unfolds.
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