F1 starts up again with great braking

3/1/2023

 The World Formula 1 Championship, the longest ever with 23 GPs on the calendar and 3 of them in the US, starts up again from Bahrain.

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The World Formula 1 Championship, the longest ever with 23 GPs on the calendar and 3 of them in the US, starts up again from Bahrain. On the subject of restarts, in the past the Bahrain International Circuit has given us spectacular accidents caused by misunderstandings between cars coming out of the pits and others that were approaching them along the straight. 


According to Brembo’s technicians, the Bahrain International Circuit is one of the most demanding for the brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it has been rated 4, the same as a classic circuit like Spa-Francorchamps although they vary in length and shape.



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The energy of the future ​​​​​ ​​

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The race will start after sundown so it will be held in artificial lighting. However, this year the presence of lenticular wheel covers which were introduced in 2022 means that we will not be able to see the incandescent carbon discs. When braking, the single-seaters recover energy which they will then use in other stages of the race. 


Finding new ways of using this energy is one of Brembo’s key elements and is inspired by the principle of “Turning energy into inspiration”. The aim is to offer drivers a unique driving experience which combines future mobility needs with digitalization and connection.

 

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Four hard braking moments in a row


On every lap on the Bahrain International Circuit the F1 drivers uses their brakes 8 times for a total of 15.9 seconds with 4 braking moments lasting more than 2 seconds each, distributed along the entire circuit. Due to the presence of 15 corners, three of which have to be tackled at a speed of below 90 km/h (56 mph), the single-seaters only exceed 300 km/h (186 mph) on one part of the track. 


Turns 10 and 11 are the only consecutive turns where the brakes are needed although they are separated by a straight section which allows the brake system to breathe. Maximum deceleration never exceeds 4.3G whereas the total load on the brake pedal from the start to the checkered flag is nearly 53 metric tons for each driver.

 

Just 124 meters (406 feet) to drop 243 km/h (150 mph)

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Of the 8 braking sections in the Bahrain GP, 4 are classified as very demanding on the brakes, 3 are of medium difficulty, and the remaining one is light.  


The most difficult for the braking system at the first turn because the cars are coming off a 1.1 km (0.69 mile) straight. The single-seaters hit the brakes at 323 km/h (200 mph) and drop to 80 km/h (50 mph) in just 124 meters (406 feet). To do this, the drivers brake for 2.79 seconds, applying a load of 129 kg (284 lb) on the brake pedal.

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And in the video games?


When you tackle Turn 1 on the Bahrain International Circuit in the Formula 1 video game, remember the cars that will be coming out of the pits to avoid coming into contact with them. Start braking using the 100 meter sign as a point of reference. Only start turning to the right when you have passed the 50 meter sign avoiding the curb so that you do not lose balance and consequently power.