A week after the third round in the United States, Formula 1 lands in the Middle East for the last 2 appointments of the 2025 championship. In the coming days, the Qatar GP will take place, now in its fourth edition.
The circuit, built in just one year with an investment of 58 million dollars, was inaugurated in October 2024 by MotoGP and, to host Formula 1, the facility has undergone modifications to the curbs, the pit lane entrance, and the safety barriers.
The GP data
According to the engineers of the Brembo Group, who collaborate directly with all Formula 1 teams, the 5,419-meter-long Lusail International Circuit falls into the category of moderately demanding tracks for the braking system. On a scale of 1 to 5, it has been assigned a difficulty index of 3.
There are 7 braking sections, totaling over 9 consecutive seconds per lap: one is classified as Hard, 5 as Medium, and one as Light. However, none require the use of the brakes for more than 1.8 consecutive seconds.
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The toughest corner
Just like for MotoGP, the most severe braking point on the Lusail International Circuit for Formula 1 is Turn 1: the single-seaters arrive there at 310km/h and then slow down to 169 km/h in 1.59 seconds, covering 99 meters. The drivers face a deceleration of 4.8g, applying a load of 119kg on the brake pedal. The braking power reaches 2,102kW.
16 years later?
With the 33 points available in Qatar, thanks also to the final Sprint, the Drivers' World Championship title could be decided this weekend. To find a championship settled in the penultimate round, you have to go back to 2009, when Jenson Button became champion with Brawn GP, equipped with a Brembo braking system.At the time, the carbon discs only had 300 ventilation holes, the brake pads measured 106x 25mm, and the calipers used varied depending on the circuit faced. Specifications light years away from current standards.
Find the best solution for you car
Brawn GP's success in 2009 was the result of a revolutionary project centered on the now-famous double diffuser, which ensured exceptional aerodynamic downforce. To complete the work, the best brakes available were needed: Ross Brawn, the team's founder, chose Brembo, building on their previous experiences in Formula 1.
With Benetton, he had achieved 2 Drivers' titles and 1 Constructors' title, and with Ferrari, 5 Drivers' titles and 6 Constructors' titles. You don't change winning brakes.
Unbeaten
24 GPs have been held in Qatar between cars and motorcycles, and in all cases, the winning vehicles were equipped with Brembo braking systems. This result is far from a given, considering the marked differences between the braking components of Formula 1 and MotoGP.Motorcycles, for example, use the brakes for over 33 seconds per lap, with decelerations that do not exceed 1.5 g and a maximum load on the lever of 5.7 kg. Due to these characteristics, as well as the different dynamics guaranteed by two wheels, MotoGP riders are able to make a greater difference under braking compared to their Formula 1 colleagues.