The 2019 Formula 1 Italian GP according to Brembo

9/2/2019

 An in-depth look at the braking systems on the Formula 1 single-seaters at Monza circuit

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Formula 1 means speed and the highest expression of speed is at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza, which will host the Italian GP on September 6 to 8, the 14th race in the 2019 World Championship. ​

 

Universally known by its nickname 'Temple of Speed', the Brianza track is located only 9 miles from Milan and was built in 1922 specifically to host the Italian Grand Prix. ​

With 68 GP races contested here, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is the most utilized circuit in the history of F1; 66 GP races have been held in Monaco and 53 in Silverstone. To limit the performance of the single-seaters, three chicanes, the so-called Varianti, were added in the 1970s. ​

The most recent modification to the design of the track was made in 2000 when the Variante del Rettifilo was altered. The record holder for the fastest lap on the track with the current configuration is Kimi Raikkonen: last year with a Ferrari equipped with a Brembo braking system, the clock stopped at 1’19’’119. However, there is a good chance this record will be beat this season with higher performing cars. ​

These two factors translate into significant additional force on the braking systems of the single-seaters, which are able to develop greater braking torque than 3 years ago. What's more, the lack of aerodynamic load used to exploit the very long straights means that the braking sections will be extremely violent and challenging to manage. ​

According to Brembo technicians, who have classified the 21 tracks in the World Championship, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is highly demanding on the brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it earned a 4 on the difficulty index.​

 
 



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The demand on the brakes during the GP

Four years ago, the fastest single-seaters in Monza ran qualifying laps going an average of 250 km/h (155 mph), while last year exceeded 263 km/h (163 mph).
​Naturally, the amount of time spent braking will be low: just 11% of the entire race. Are not a negative record the six braking points per lap; in Singapore there are 15 braking sections, in Monaco, Yas Marina, Budapest and Baku there are 11 but in Hockenheim ​only 5.

On average, the brakes are applied for 10.6 seconds per lap, a number that surpasses only that of the Spielberg track, which is almost a whole kilometer and half (0.9 miles) shorter. The fact that there are very few braking sections, all of which are extremely violent, means that the average peak deceleration per lap is 4.1 G. ​

The combination of hard braking compensated by very few braking sections generates energy dissipated in braking by each car during the entire GP race that is in line with the other GP races: The 165 kWh here is similar to what has been registered on the Spa-Francorchamps and Sochi tracks. ​

From the starting line to the checkered flag, each driver will exert a total load of 31 tons on the brake pedal. Practically speaking, the brake force applied each lap measures almost 600 kg (1,323 lbs), which requires drivers to be in excellent shape, as does facing the lateral acceleration in the corners. ​

 

The most demanding braking sections

Three of six braking sections on the Autodromo Nazionale Monza are categorized as challenging on the brakes, one is of medium difficulty and two are light.​

The toughest on the braking system is the first one after the finish line: The single-seaters arrive going 349 km/h (217 mph) and they take it down to 87 km/h (54 mph) in just 137 meters (449 feet). ​

To do this, the drivers brake for 2.74 seconds applying a load of 196 kg (432 lbs) on the brake pedal and undergoing a deceleration of 5.6 G. The braking done on turn 4 is also impressive: The cars go from 334 km/h (208 mph) to 119 km/h (74 mph) in a mere 2.09 seconds and 117 meters (384 feet). ​

The load on the pedal comes to 133 kg (293 lbs) and the peak deceleration is 4.9 G. ​

The force required of the drivers on the sequence of corners, turns 6, 7 and 8, is intense: Three braking sections with deceleration ranging between 2.2 G and 5 G and loads on the pedal measuring 45 kg (99 lbs), 59 kg (130 lbs) and 82 kg (181 lbs). ​

 
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Brembo performance

Single-seaters with Brembo brakes have won 25 of the 44 Italian GP races that they've taken part in.

The victory went to Ferrari at 11 of these, but the Scuderia hasn't won in Monza since 2010.
​​In fact, Sebastian Vettel has won in Italy with Toro Rosso and Red Bull, but he hasn't triumphed with Ferrari yet.