The 2020 Formula 1 Sakhir Grand Prix according to Brembo

12/1/2020

A guide to the Brembo braking systems in Formula 1 single-seaters, and their use on the Outer Track of the Bahrain International Circuit

According to Brembo technicians, the Outer Track of the Bahrain International Circuit is one of the most demanding for the brakes. On a difficulty index scale of 1 to 5, it earned a 4 - the same as for the 5,412-meter (5,918-yard) Bahrain International Circuit used last week.

Unlike the traditional track, this one is just over 3.5 km (2.17 miles) long and has 11 bends rather than 15; the parts common to both are bends 1 to 4, plus the last two. In these points, the mechanical grip will be greater than in past years because the track will have benefited from the rubbering in guaranteed by the Bahrain GP. For the Sakhir GP as well, there is notable wear on the friction materials.

The Brembo calipers for Formula 1 

Brembo makes aluminum-lithium calipers with 6 pistons (the maximum value established by the regulations) for 8 of the teams in the 2020 World Championship. In addition to these, Brembo also supplies some teams with 4-piston calipers to be used on the rear, to meet the demands for lighter weight.

On the basis of the specific vehicle requirements, each team - together with Brembo engineers - identifies the optimum weight-rigidity ratio that the brake calipers must have. The development of the braking system takes place entirely autonomously and separately for each team.

Brake use during the Formula 1 Sakhir GP

Unlike the Bahrain GP, where the F1 drivers use their brakes 8 times on every lap, on the Outer Track of the Bahrain International Circuit the brakes are called into use on just 4 occasions, for a total of 7.5 seconds. The amount of race time in which the brakes are being used is 14%, compared with the 18% for the Grand Prix on the longer track.

On the other hand, there is little difference in the average overall load exerted by a driver on his brake pedal from the starting line to the checkered flag: 46.9 tons - in other words roughly one and a half tons less than during the Bahrain GP. Average deceleration on the Outer Track is far higher though: about 5 G, because all 4 braking sections can boast values of between 4.4 G and 5.5 G.

The first-time braking section of the Sakhir Outer Track Round 

Of the 4 braking sections at the Sakhir GP, 3 are classified as very demanding on the brakes and the remaining one is considered as average.

The most challenging for the braking system is at the first bend, because the F1 cars benefit from the 1.1 km (0.7 mile) straight also used in the Bahrain GP. Bend 7 is a first-timer though: from 277 km/h (172 mph) to 148 km/h (92 mph) in just 1.34 seconds, during which the single-seaters travel 83 meters (91 yards) thanks to a load of 144 kg (317 lb) on the brake pedal, with a deceleration of 5.2 G.