Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are both optimistic the drastic lift and coast measures deployed by Ferrari in the Sao Paulo Sprint will not be a factor in the Grand Prix. Leclerc beat Sainz by three places in the 24-lap affair at Interlagos, with both drivers forced into the usual tactic used by teams to protect the car by lifting off the throttle approaching a braking zone earlier and 'coasting' into the corner before hitting the brakes. Drivers often do so to protect temperatures on the brakes, tyres or engine, but Sainz described how the amount he was having to do in the Sprint was the most of his entire F1 career. Despite the drastic measure, both are hopeful that cooler race day temperatures will allow them more room for manoeuvre.

Sainz and Leclerc play down issue

"We used the worst possible sets that we had available and we saved the good ones for [the race]," Sainz told media including RacingNews365. 'Hopefully it helps, but it will not be very positive if we need to keep doing so much lift and coast, which for our temperatures was very tricky and we couldn't push. "We expect it to be cooler [for the race], so hopefully it goes in a better direction, but the [Sprint] lift and coasting and the most significant I've done in my whole life." Leclerc, who be starting on the front-row alongside pole-sitter Max Verstappen believes that while some lift and coasting will be needed during the race, the amount of it will be reduced. "Luckily for me, I'll be starting second, so hopefully there will be fewer cars in front of me after the first lap," he said. "Hopefully that will help me to be in a better window compared to [the Sprint]. "Mexico was bad as well [in terms of lift and coast]. There are some races where you know you are going to have those type of issues. "It was a bit more than expected, but I expect [the Grand Prix] to be better."

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