Lift and Coast

Lift and coast is a driving technique in motorsport where a driver releases the accelerator pedal earlier than normal before reaching a corner, allowing the car to coast forward using its own momentum before applying the brakes.

Instead of keeping their foot on the gas pedal all the way until the braking point, the driver lifts off the throttle a bit sooner and lets the car glide toward the corner. The car naturally slows down due to air resistance and friction from the tires and mechanical components. After coasting for a short distance, the driver then brakes normally to make the turn.

The primary reason drivers use lift and coast is to save fuel. Modern race cars have strict fuel limits, and running out of gas before the finish line means certain defeat. By spending less time with the throttle pressed down, the engine burns less fuel, which can make the difference between finishing the race or running out of gas on the final lap.

This technique also helps manage other aspects of the car's performance. When drivers lift and coast, they reduce the amount of heat generated in the brakes because the car is already slowing down before heavy braking begins. This can be crucial during long races where brake components can overheat and lose effectiveness. Similarly, it helps cool the engine and reduces wear on the tires.

Teams use lift and coast as part of their race strategy. Engineers calculate how much fuel the car needs and communicate with drivers throughout the race about when to use this technique. Sometimes drivers lift and coast for just a few laps to build a fuel buffer, while other times they might use it consistently throughout the entire race.

You won't see drivers using lift and coast during qualifying sessions, which are all about setting the fastest single lap time possible. During qualifying, every fraction of a second matters, so drivers push their cars to the absolute limit without worrying about fuel consumption.

While lift and coast does make individual laps slightly slower, it can actually lead to a faster overall race result. This might seem contradictory, but carrying less fuel means the car weighs less and performs better. A lighter car accelerates faster, corners quicker, and puts less stress on the tires. Teams often find that starting with less fuel and driving with occasional lift and coast is faster than carrying heavy fuel loads and driving flat out the entire race.

The main disadvantage is that drivers become more vulnerable to overtaking when they're coasting. A competitor who isn't lifting off the throttle early will carry more speed and might find an opportunity to pass. Drivers and teams must balance fuel saving with maintaining competitive lap times and track position.