Even in 2024the single-seaters of Formula 1 they use brake systems produced by Brembothe Italian company present in Formula 1 since 1975 and author of over 500 Grand Prix victories with his braking systems. Brembo for the 2024 season, which begins in BahrainHe developed personalized solutions for each team and supplies the majority of single-seaters with hydraulic components (calipers, pumps and by-wire units) and friction materials (carbon discs and pads).
| Front | Rear | |
|---|---|---|
| Disc diameter | 328 mm | 280 mm |
| Disc thickness | 32mm | 32mm |
| Number of holes | From 1,000 to 1,100 | 900 |
| Caliper pistons | 6 | 4 |
| Cooling system | Air | Air |
| Pad material | Carbon | Carbon |
| Disc material | Carbon | Carbon |
| Pliers material | Aluminium alloy | Aluminium alloy |
F1 carbon Brembo brakes, features
Over the last twenty years, Brembo has revolutionized the concept of brake discs in Formula 1. Initially, the carbon discs had a thickness of 28mmwith a maximum of 72 holes arranged in a single row and a diameter of the holes greater than 10 millimeters.
Today, the diameter of the discs has increased from 278 mm to 328 mm for the front and 266 mm a 280 mm for the rear, with a thickness of 32mm and an included number of holes between 1,000 and 1,100 for the front and up to 900 for the rear in the most extreme configuration for cooling.
The brake calipers Brembo F1 on the other hand are up to 6 pistonsthe maximum number allowed by the regulation, carried out in aluminum alloy machined from solid and nickel-plated, to all the drivers on the grid.
These brakes allow current single-seaters to decelerate, for example from 313 km/h to 75 km/h in just 122 metres. To do this, drivers brake for 2.86 secondsexerting a load of 129 kg on the brake pedal, while the braking power is 2,101 kW.
Brembo F1 brake thickness
For the 2024 championship, the teams supplied by Brembo use two different types of carbon discs: “wide spline” And “single sided spline”. In the specification called “wide spline” the thickness of the drag – the part in contact with the bell – is equal to the thickness of the disc, while in the specification called “single sided spline” the thickness of the drag is less than the thickness of the disc.
This second solution can favor one different ventilation strategy of the disc and better packaging of the wheel corner, but at the expense of an optimal mechanical stress of the carbon which limits the possible drilling for ventilation. The choice of one solution or the other depends on the needs of each individual team based on the design of the individual cars.
Brembo and AP Racing F1 brake caliper
Brembo brake calipers therefore equip all 10 Formula 1 teams: precisely, 9 teams are supplied with Brembo calipers, while one team receives calipers AP Racinga Coventry-based company, part of the Bergamo group.
Furthermore, to adapt to the different needs of the teams, the calipers adopt different systems brake pumps. Specifically, five teams use brake master cylinders supplied by Brembo and AP Racing, while four teams mount them by-wire unit developed by Brembo, who manage the rear braking instantly adjusting the balance between dissipative and regenerative braking. Finally, eight teams use clutches produced by AP Racing.
Using sensors mounted in the wheel corners, the team engineers can constantly monitor the temperature of discs and calipers. Based on the data collected, they can assist the driver in managing temperatures and braking balance on the car. On average, in a season Brembo supplies each team with 2 cars with 10 sets of calipers, from 140 to 240 discs and from 280 to 480 pads.
Ventilation
Over the years, the ventilation of Brembo brake discs and calipers has undergone a constant transformation, leading to a notable improvement in the performance of the braking system in Formula One where temperatures can exceed 1,000°C. The design of the ventilation holes on the composite material of the disc also contributed greatly, requiring maximum precision on extremely small diameter holes. Below is a very scenic image representing a glowing carbon disc during a bench test session.
Read also:
→ 2024 F1 Calendar
→ Formula 1 timetables
→ F1 driver and constructor points as assigned
→ Sprint Race how it works
→ LIVE F1 Times
→ F1 NEWS
→ New F1 Power Unit Regulations 2026
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