In the 2023 Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race, Ferrari's Formula 1 drivers were forced to employ a lift and coast strategy at "every corner," with Carlos Sainz experiencing the most management he had ever encountered. The demanding race saw eventual winner Max Verstappen overtake polesitter Lando Norris into Turn 1, leading to complaints from almost the entire field about the need to manage temperatures.

While Charles Leclerc managed to climb from seventh to fifth place, and Sainz gained a spot to finish eighth, both drivers were significantly hindered by the requirement to lift off the throttle. The Spanish driver described the race as the most amount of lifting and coasting he had ever faced, especially considering they completed the race on a previously used set of soft-compound Pirelli tires.

Sainz explained that the team had intentionally used their worst tire sets for the sprint race, reserving the better ones for the main race on Sunday. However, the excessive amount of lift and coasting proved difficult to manage the car's temperatures and restricted their ability to push their race pace.

In an unexpected turn, Sainz found himself having to back off even when running in clean air, not just when following other cars. This strategic adjustment meant that Daniel Ricciardo in the McLaren was able to repeatedly pass the Ferrari driver, as Sainz relied on DRS to compensate for his earlier braking. Hoping for a better direction in the future, Sainz expressed his frustration with the excessive lift and coasting required during the race.

Team boss Frederic Vasseur addressed the issue and admitted that a small mistake in cooling contributed to the team's struggle. As a result, the drivers were instructed to employ a massive lift and coast strategy from lap two of the race. Vasseur acknowledged that this mistake left the drivers "exposed" and affected their race performance.

Leclerc, who continuously had to back off in "basically every corner," felt that starting second in the Grand Prix could alleviate some of the strain. However, he admitted that the pace of the Red Bull cars during the sprint race would make it almost "irrelevant" to pass Verstappen off the line, as he anticipated being overtaken shortly after.

The demanding lift and coast strategy faced by Ferrari's drivers at the Brazilian Grand Prix sprint race highlights the challenges they had to overcome in managing temperatures and preserving their tires. As the team looks ahead to the main race on Sunday, they will need to reassess their strategies to maximize their performance and contend against their formidable rivals.