The 2019 Formula 1 British GP according to Brembo

7/8/2019

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

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Formula 1 returns to Silverstone (Great Britain) - where the World Championship started all the way back in 1950 - for the 10th appointment of the 2019 World Championship. ​

At 52° North Latitude, the English track is the closest to the North Pole of any in the championship.​

 

The Silverstone Circuit has already hosted 52 Formula 1 World Championship races, but only 9 in its current configuration. ​

Despite the addition of several curves in the '70s designed to reduce speed, last year the average speed for the pole position was 246.91 km/h (153.42 mph), outdoing the 244.57 km/h (151.97 mph) achieved in 1983. ​

The track is full of high-speed turns, and the single-seaters do not even need to use their brakes for 10 of the bends. ​

There are two really intense braking sessions, both of which are the result of changes made to the track over the past 30 years. The low energy at play, however, may result in glazing of the friction material, in the event of rain or if temperatures dip rapidly. ​

In such conditions, in fact, the carbon discs and brake pads may cool too much, and would no longer guarantee the friction needed for drivers to brake the way they are used to doing. ​

According to Brembo technicians, who classified the 21 tracks in the World Championship, the Silverstone Circuit is one of the least demanding on the brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it earned a 2 on the difficulty index.​

 
 
 

The demand on the brakes during the GP

With every lap, brakes are used 7 times. 

All told, the braking system is used for 12.7 seconds in each lap, amounting to 12 % of the entire duration of the race. 

​Even maximum deceleration is affected by the reduced need to slam on the brakes: the average value per lap is 3.2 g due to turn 7 and turn 13, since deceleration does not even get to 2 G for either of these bends. ​​


All this means that only a moderate amount of energy is dissipated in braking compared to other tracks: 120 kWh, half as much as Baku and Monaco.

From the starting line to the finish line, each driver will exert a total load of 30 tons (66,139 lbs) on the brake pedal. ​ ​


 


 

The most demanding braking sections

Of the 7 braking sections at the Silverstone Circuit, 2 are classified as demanding on the brakes, 1 is of medium difficulty and 4 are light. The most difficult corner for the braking system is at turn 3: the single-seaters arrive going 319 km/h (198 mph) and in just 2,44 seconds, they take it down to 123 km/h (76 mph). To do this, drivers apply a load of 152 kg (335 lbs) on the brake pedal and undergo a deceleration of 4.8 G. ​

While braking, the vehicles travel 133 meters (436 feet). On the other hand, deceleration is 5 G at curve 16: the braking session is just a little shorter both in terms of time (2.35 seconds) and distance (112 meters, 367 feet), but the load on the brake pedal to drop from 295 km/h (183 mph) to 105 km/h (65 mph) is "only" 152 kg (335 lbs). ​

At Brooklands (curve 6) the single-seaters arrive at 329 km/h (204 mph) but enter the curve at 166 km/h (103 mph) after 2.42 seconds of braking. Deceleration is 4 G. ​

 
 

Brembo performance

Single-seaters with Brembo brakes have won 20 of the 42 British GP races they took part in, including 2 GP in Brands Hatch.

The team to have won most often is Ferrari, with 10 victories.