Some innovations are designed to stop faster, while others are created to flow more freely. Brembo’s Anti-Drag System belongs to this second category: an idea that appears simple, yet took years of research and development to become a reality.

Its origins lie in the laboratories and racetracks of Formula 1 — the most extreme testing ground in the world for braking systems.

In 2017, Brembo introduced a device capable of eliminating residual torque — that small yet constant resistance generated when discs and pads remain in contact even during non-braking phases.

In an F1 car, where every thousandth of a second and every joule of energy matter, even the slightest friction is an enemy: it slows acceleration, raises temperatures, and consequently increases fuel consumption.

Moreover, since it’s not a controllable phenomenon, it leads to the well-known issue of “unbalance” often complained about by many drivers.

Brembo’s objective was clear from the very beginning: to make the brakes, when not needed, become invisible.

The introduction of the anti-drag system came at a time when Brembo was already redefining the limits of braking performance with its amplified caliper — a solution capable of multiplying braking torque through the principle of the inclined plane. Although the two innovations were developed independently, they complement each other perfectly: the amplified caliper delivers greater braking force, while the anti-drag system ensures absolute smoothness during release, preventing the pads from maintaining even the slightest contact with the disc.

Integrated into the amplified caliper, the torsion-spring anti-drag system retracts the pads whenever the rider is not braking, completely freeing the disc. It’s a mechanism as ingenious as it is refined, since in amplified calipers the contact point between the anti-drag lever and the pad shifts as the pad wears down. Yet, thanks to meticulous engineering, the system operates with consistent precision in every condition throughout the component’s entire service life.

In other words, Brembo has managed to preserve both advantages: more power under braking and zero drag when released.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP and Superbike

The idea, originally developed for the fastest single-seaters in the world, soon made its way to two wheels as well.

In 2019, the Anti-Drag System debuted in MotoGP, where Brembo’s amplified calipers — paired with carbon discs and pads — face extreme temperatures and mechanical stresses.

In this case, the torsional spring was replaced by a compression spring, better suited to the compact dimensions of motorcycle calipers. The principle, however, remains the same: retract the pads during release phases, ensuring a completely free wheel and a sensation of total smoothness.

Shortly after, the technology reached the World Superbike Championship. Here, despite the ban on carbon discs and pads, Brembo succeeded in transferring the concepts of amplification and anti-drag to steel brake systems. The materials and operating temperatures change, but the philosophy remains the same: maximum efficiency, zero drag.

Once again, the world of racing proved to be the ultimate testing ground for Brembo’s technical ingenuity — an environment where every solution is adapted, refined, and optimized to meet the specific demands of each category.

From the Track to the Road: The Philosophy of Total Efficiency

Today, the anti-drag principle also lives on in road braking systems. While amplified calipers specifically designed for street use don’t yet exist, the idea of retracting the pads to eliminate residual torque has become a cornerstone for improving efficiency, fuel economy, and driving comfort.

In everyday vehicles — where brakes operate quietly for hundreds of thousands of kilometers — reducing residual torque means lower energy losses and a tangible increase in range and performance. In this context, Brembo has developed another cutting-edge solution: the Enesys spring system.

This spring, the result of years of research, allows the pads to retract with constant precision, preventing unwanted friction and keeping the braking system cool, quiet, and efficient over time.

In a way, Enesys represents the “civilian” version of the same philosophy that has driven Formula 1: eliminating everything that hinders performance — not only when slowing down, but also, and above all, when accelerating.

From Track to Road, Brembo’s Ingenuity Never Stops

As is often the case with innovations born under the pressure of the stopwatch, the Anti-Drag System exemplifies the consistency of Brembo’s philosophy: every solution developed for world champions doesn’t stay confined to the pits but is refined, adapted, and made available for everyone.

From the torsional spring in Formula 1 calipers to the Enesys system in road cars, the common thread remains the same: experiment, evolve, and transfer technology to make every braking and every acceleration perfect.