At the end of May, as tradition dictates, Formula 1 returns to the Principality of Monaco for the most iconic Grand Prix of the season.
The inaugural edition dates back to 1929, while the first race to count for the World Championship was held in 1950—a year when 9 of the 19 cars on the grid retired in the opening moments due to a multi-car crash. The Monaco GP also holds the record for the fewest finishers in F1 history: just 3 cars made it to the chequered flag in 1996, and only 4 in 1966.
The GP data
According to Brembo technicians who work closely with all Formula 1 teams, the 3.337 km Circuit de Monaco is classified as a medium-demanding track in terms of brake usage. On a difficulty scale from 1 to 5, it scores a 3.
Despite featuring 15 braking zones per lap, only 2 are rated as “High”, 6 as “Medium”, and 7 as “Light”. Each driver applies the brakes for a total of 19 seconds per lap—equivalent to 27% of total lap time.
The toughest corner
The most challenging braking point on the Monaco circuit is Turn 10, the chicane following the tunnel. Here, F1 cars decelerate from 290 km/h to 96 km/h in just 2.06 seconds, covering a distance of 91 meters.
The braking system and drivers are pushed to the limit: maximum deceleration reaches 4.5 g, and the brake pedal force required is a hefty 145 kg. The braking power peaks at 2,184 kW.
The Olivier fairytale
The reliability of modern Formula 1 cars is lightyears ahead of that seen in the 20th century. Yet Brembo brakes have always stood out for their dependability—proven by the 1996 Monaco GP, where only 3 cars finished the race. Olivier Panis claimed his sole F1 victory in a Ligier starting from the seventh row.
After 30 laps, the Frenchman had climbed to P4, and by lap 60, he took the lead and held it to the end—thanks in part to flawless performance from his Brembo braking system. That win remains his only career victory, alongside 3 second-place finishes and a third.
Find the best solution for you car
From one to many
Since the 1980s, Brembo has supplied braking systems to multiple F1 teams. Initially, these components were standardized, but over time, they have evolved into bespoke solutions tailored to each car’s design characteristics. Brembo’s research into brake disc ventilation led to a dramatic increase in the number of holes in carbon brake rotors, which significantly reduced caliper and brake fluid temperatures, eliminating the brake pedal “fade” that was common 40 years ago.
Carbon technology on the road
During the Monaco GP weekend, Formula 1 single-seaters equipped with carbon-carbon brake discs dominate the streets of the Principality. On regular days, however, those same roads are frequented by supercars fitted with Brembo carbon-ceramic braking systems.
Carbon-carbon discs are, in fact, unsuitable for use on road cars—even high-performance supercars—because the braking system doesn't reach the minimum operating temperatures required for optimal performance. Additionally, they suffer from high wear rates and a greater risk of damage under typical road conditions.
That’s why many road-going supercars are equipped with Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic Brakes.
These discs offer a weight reduction of 5–6 kg per corner compared to traditional cast iron, and their lifespan can match that of the vehicle itself. Most notably, carbon-ceramic technology reduces stopping distance from 100 km/h to 0 km/h by approximately 3 meters compared to conventional brake discs.