In the recent resurgence of Pecco Bagnaia, who has achieved an extraordinary streak of consecutive podiums, there is a key technical detail: a new 355 mm "Low Mass" carbon front brake disc, developed by Brembo to meet the needs of the Turin champion. A solution designed to enhance his strength, braking, and now available to all MotoGP riders.
Genesis of an intuition: from Aragon to Motegi
To understand the birth of this component, it is necessary to take a step back. The connection between Pecco Bagnaia and the oversized Brembo carbon discs had already become evident during the previous, less successful, season.
At the 2025 Aragon GP, by using the standard 355 mm discs (usually reserved for the most demanding circuits for the braking system) instead of the traditional 340 mm ones, Bagnaia immediately regained optimal confidence when entering corners. The definitive confirmation came at Motegi, a track characterized by extremely intense braking: by leveraging the maximum efficiency of the 355 mm disc, Pecco dominated the weekend, securing pole position, the Sprint, and the Sunday race.
Until yesterday, however, the use of conventional 355 mm discs was strictly limited to heavy braking circuits (such as Spielberg, Buriram, or indeed Motegi). Being discs with significant mass and finned ventilation designed to dissipate extreme temperatures, their use on less demanding tracks was discouraged: the carbon would not reach the correct operating temperature range, compromising the coefficient of friction and the rider's confidence.
Brembo's challenge: maximum performance, minimum mass
Listening to the pilot's requests, Brembo technicians initiated a co-development program to overcome this physical limitation, aiming to make the maximum braking torque of the 355 mm diameter possible on any type of circuit. The engineering response is the new 355 mm "Low Mass" disc.
The technical comparison
| Feature | Standard 355 mm Disc | Low Mass 355 mm Disc |
|---|---|---|
| Profile/Geometry | High brake band with ventilation fins | Narrow brake band, optimized design |
| Overall Mass | High (specific for cooling in severe circuits) | Reduced (equalized to 340 mm discs) |
| Thermal Target | Optimal only at high temperatures | Easy to heat even on less demanding tracks |
| Usage | Heavy Braking tracks only | Universal (all circuits of the season) |
As explained by Stefano Mazzoleni, Race Engineer at Brembo: "Together with Pecco, we tried to thoroughly understand the issue to figure out how to assist him. Once we gathered the feedback, we worked on the shape of the disc, which represents the real difference. Thanks to this geometry, with the same pressure on the lever, a different braking torque is generated on the disc surface, allowing the bike to stop more effectively and with less effort."
More torque, less pressure: the Jerez breakthrough
Decisive tests conducted in Jerez have fully approved the new solution. With a lower carbon mass, the disc quickly reaches temperature even in situations where the classic 340 mm discs would typically be used, while offering the superior leverage and torque typical of the larger diameter.
The benefit for the rider is immediate and evident: Bagnaia was able to modify his riding ergonomics, switching to braking with just one finger. This allows him to exert less force on the manual lever while still maintaining significantly broader modularity and braking management range.
Pecco Bagnaia himself confirmed the importance of this evolution: “This discussion had already started last year. At Aragon, I tried the 355 and felt very comfortable. The ones we are using now are a special version developed to be used even on tracks where it was previously not possible. Brembo has done a fantastic job, both for me and for others. I believe there are very few who are using them, and honestly, I don’t even know who the others are. I feel very comfortable with them. I would even use them at Phillip Island with four degrees of temperature because they help me a lot with my riding style.”
As per Brembo’s philosophy, once validated and approved by the Ducati champion during testing, the 355 mm “Low Mass” disc system has been made available to all MotoGP grid teams, reaffirming the company’s constant commitment to supporting the technological evolution of Motorsport and its talents.
Brembo as a Solution Provider: beyond the standard product
This evolution demonstrates how Brembo's identity goes far beyond merely supplying world-leading, high-quality components. In modern motorsport, Brembo acts as a true Solution Provider: a strategic and technological partner capable of understanding the nuances of each driver's style, challenging the established laws of material physics, and engineering tailor-made, customized solutions. Pushing beyond the boundaries of the conventional is the only way to turn a limit into a new starting point for performance.