Ferrari and lift and coast in 2026: Gualtieri explains the situation
During the recently concluded Formula 1 season, one of the most evident limitations of the Ferrari SF-25 was the extensive use of lift and coast. This driving technique was necessary to protect brake temperatures and, in many cases, to manage plank wear. However, with the major regulation overhaul coming in 2026, an important question has emerged: will Ferrari drivers still be forced to rely on lift and coast in the future? Enrico Gualtieri has now provided detailed clarification on the matter.
Ferrari faced several technical challenges throughout the season, but one of the most restrictive issues was directly linked to lift and coast. In simple terms, the drivers were required to lift off the throttle well before the actual braking point in order to keep brake temperatures under control and, quite often, to limit plank wear. This issue became particularly evident when Lewis Hamilton was disqualified in China due to excessive plank wear. The key question now is whether this same limitation will reappear under the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
Why 2026 changes everything
The 2026 season represents a turning point for Formula 1, as the sport will enter a completely new regulatory era. One of the most significant and impactful changes concerns the power unit. Under the new rules, battery recharging will no longer be sufficient to sustain full electric deployment for an entire lap. This will make energy management considerably more complex and place greater emphasis on efficiency rather than outright power.
As a result, many have questioned whether lift and coast will once again become a necessary tool to manage battery levels, or whether other technical solutions will play a more decisive role. The balance between performance, energy deployment, and regeneration will be at the heart of the 2026 Formula 1 challenge.
Will lift and coast return in 2026?
Enrico Gualtieri, Ferrari’s power unit technical director, addressed this topic during a Ferrari corporate lunch, where he outlined some of the most important changes expected for the 2026 season. According to the Italian engineer, drivers will not be forced to lift off the throttle simply to recharge the battery, as was often the case in recent seasons.
Enrico Gualtieri explained that the most decisive factor will be software. Advanced control systems will play a fundamental role in managing energy flows, making traditional lift and coast techniques far less critical than before. While the first on-track tests scheduled in Barcelona will be crucial, Ferrari has already carried out extensive analysis using simulators. The teams that manage to find the right compromise between battery management and outright speed will gain a significant early advantage.
The role of active aerodynamics and driver input
Active aerodynamics has been introduced specifically to help compensate for the new energy limitations imposed by the 2026 regulations. Enrico Gualtieri clarified that its effectiveness will depend heavily on how well it is integrated with electronic control strategies. Proper coordination between aerodynamic systems and power unit software will be essential to maximize performance.
In this context, drivers will also play a more active role in managing energy during each lap. They will be provided with dedicated controls on the steering wheel to fine-tune battery usage in real time. Ferrari has already tested an initial version of this system, which is expected to evolve further and reach its final form during the course of the upcoming season.
Ferrari’s development timeline
At the moment, development activity at Ferrari’s Racing Department facility is paused due to FIA regulations. Full-scale work will resume with the arrival of the new year, leading into an intense development phase that will culminate in the official presentation of the new car and the first on-track tests in Spain.
While lift and coast was a visible and often frustrating limitation during the SF-25 campaign, Ferrari’s technical leadership remains confident that the 2026 Formula 1 regulations will shift the focus toward smarter energy management through software, active aerodynamics, and driver control, rather than relying on early throttle lift as a necessity.
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