The 2019 Formula 1 Bahrain GP according to Brembo

3/26/2019

An in-depth look at the braking systems on the Formula 1 single-seaters at the Bahrain International Circuit

From March 29th to the 31st, the Bahrain International Circuit will host the 2nd round of the 2019 World Formula 1 Racing Championship. Located in the Sakhir desert, the circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke, and its construction cost 150 million dollars, most of which was necessary to create the asphalt bed.

Thanks to the installation of an artificial lighting system, since 2014 the Bahrain GP has been disputed at night. Despite this, ground temperature during the last editions has always ranged between 26 and 31 degrees.

These values translate into a significant mechanical grip. The presence of many high-energy impact brakings, what's more concentrated in the central area of the circuit, means high friction material wear.

To adapt to the 2019 single seaters, which yield higher performances than the previous years, Brembo technicians have increased the number of holes in the carbon discs and have created new calipers.

For each team, Brembo constructed ad hoc braking system that ensure optimal integration with the aerodynamic and mechanical characteristics of the cars.

The Middle-Eastern circuit is an extremely tough test bench for all the components of the braking system, as shown by the difficulty index assigned by Brembo technicians. On a scale of 1 to 5, the Bahrain International Circuit earns a 4, making it one of the most challenging on brakes. Only Montreal, Mexico City, Abu Dhabi and Singapore rank higher.

The demand on the brakes during the GP

In Bahrain the pilots use the brakes just under 15 and a half seconds a lap, meaning 18% of the race.

The average peak deceleration is 4.1 G overall, despite the braking at turn 6 is only 2.3 G. From the start of the race to the checkered flag, the amount of energy dissipated by each single-seater is over 228 kWh.

From start to checkered flag, each pilot will use the brakes 450 times, exerting a total force on the pedal of approximately 60 tonnes. In other words, each pilot exerts a load of over 650 kg (1,433 lbs) per minute.

The most demanding braking sections

Of the Bahrain International Circuit's 8 braking points, 3 are classified as crucial for brakes, other 4 are of average difficulty and another is light.

The most difficult braking point is that of curve 1: the cars hit the area at 331 km/h (206 mph) and brake for 2.4 seconds in 118 meters (387 feet) to strongly decelerate to 83 km/h (52 mph). The pilots exert a load of 212 kg (467 lb) on the pedal and are forced to withstand 5.5 G of deceleration.

Lower values but always high are the deceleration (4,9 G) and the peak speed before braking (309 km/h, 192 mph) in turn 14: this means less braking time and space, 1.81 seconds and 101 meters (331 feet).

Braking in turn 4 is also impressive: in 106 meters (348 feet), the single seaters loose 167 km/h (104 mph) with a deceleration of 4.4 G and a load of 140 kg (309 lb) on the pedal.

Brembo performance

In Bahrain, the single seaters equipped with Brembo calipers have won 12 of the 14 editions disputed up to now, including the last 11. The most victorious Racing Team with Brembo brakes in Sakir is Ferrari with 6 wins.

All 7 pilots that won the Bahrain GP have triumphed at least once with Brembo brakes. Sebastian Vettel, winner in 2017 and 2018, will try to become the first to triumph 3 years in a row in Bahrain.