Ferrari reject 'fundamental' problem after Charles Leclerc instruction

Ferrari has explained that recent radio instructions to Charles Leclerc do not indicate a fundamental problem with its F1 car.

During the recent Austrian GP, Leclerc, whilst running in third place, was given firm instructions by his race engineer that "LiCo" was needed at points during the race.

LiCo refers to Lift and Coast, which engineers often order their drivers to do during races by coming off the throttle earlier into corners and allow the aerodynamic forces to slow the car.

It can be used to manage fuel concerns, save the tyres or other problems, such as easing plank wear by not pushing the car into the track whilst under peak braking loads, something Ferrari has struggled with at times in 2025, with Lewis Hamilton disqualified for plank wear in China.

Addressing the LiCo messages, deputy team principal Jerome D'Ambrosio has explained why the team is not concerned. 

"Lift and coast can come for various reasons, the point is that in some races, you try to optimise the package in certain areas of the car," D'Ambrosio told media, including RacingNews365.

"You look at the season as points, and not as Spielberg or Silverstone or Spa, you look at it as a maximum points haul you can go and get, so you look at the best solution on average. 

"That means in some cases, you need lift and coast, and it is perfectly normal, but it is uncomfortable for the drivers, but I think most of the cars are doing it nowadays, so it is nothing out of the norm. 

"We debrief it, and the limitations it brings are a bit difficult to handle here, but it brings us an advantage there. 

"Fundamentally, it is not a problem and it is just part of an optimisation package that you decide in the season, and it gives you some margin in some races and less in others."