The MotoGP of the Americas according to Brembo

4/7/2016

An in-depth look at the queen class use of braking systems on the Circuit of the Americas in Austin

From 8 to 10 April, the Circuit of the Americas (Austin, Texas) will host the 3rd round of the 2016 MotoGP World Championship. Completed at the end of 2012, the track was designed by the German architect Hermann Tilke. The Austin circuit falls into the category of medium difficulty for the braking systems.

One of the signature sections of the track is the impressive incline at the end of the straightaway in the final stretch. The elevation gain between the lowest and highest points on the track measures 41 metres in total, and it's easy to imagine the consequences for the riders that get the braking wrong on the descent.

According to Brembo technicians, the Circuit of the Americas falls into the category of medium difficulty for the brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it earned 3 on the difficulty index, which is identical to eight other tracks, including Losail and Termas de Rio Hondo, where the first two races of the season were held.

Brake use during the GP

Even though the average speed per lap is one of the lowest in the championship (158 km/h), the time spent braking is not terribly significant: 23% of the overall duration of the race. It is easy to explain why: the Circuit of the Americas contains three first-gear curves and long stretches with frequent changes in direction, where the brakes aren't used much. This is another reason why the Texan circuit stands out for having one of the lowest average deceleration rates in the Championship: just 1.15 g.

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The most challenging stops

Of the 8 braking sections on the Circuit of the Americas, 3 are classified as difficult on the brakes, 2 as medium; the remaining 3 have a light incidence on the braking systems. It is worth noting that on the first braking section after the finish line, the bikes go from 311 km/h to 60 km/h in 206 metres, applying a load of 11 kg on the brake lever. As for the reduction in speed and brake space, curve 12 has the best; the bikes arrive going 337 km/h and have to go down to 70 km/h. To do so, the brakes are used for almost 6 seconds. Both of these braking sections present a deceleration of 1.6 g. Curve 20, the last on the track, has a medium level of difficulty, on the other hand. The riders use the brakes for about 3 and a half seconds, applying a load of 6 kg on the lever. The least challenging braking section on the circuit is number 9, which requires a drop in speed from 148 to 103 km/h, in 79 metres.

Brembo Victories

At the GP of the Americas, Brembo brakes monopolised the podium in all 3 of the contended editions. The winner was Marc Marquez, with Honda, each time.