Brakes at 300 km/h: carbon discs and brake-by-wire

F1 brakes run at extreme temperatures. We look at carbon materials and the rear brake-by-wire system. Modern Formula 1 cars generate most of their downforce from the floor, using shaped tunnels to accelerate air beneath the car.

Carbon carbon discs

Upgrades are rarely a single part. A new floor edge can require changes to the sidepods, the beam wing and the suspension fairings.

Wind tunnel time and CFD runs are limited, with less allowed for teams higher in the championship.

Reliability is designed in from the start: every gram saved has to be balanced against the risk of a failure on track.

FormulaKite editorial note

Cooling and ducts

Power units combine a turbocharged V6 with energy recovery systems that harvest under braking and from exhaust heat.

• Brakes is the key factor in this section.
• Hybrid explains most of the remaining differences.
• Context from previous seasons helps judge how unusual it is.

Reliability is designed in from the start: every gram saved has to be balanced against the risk of a failure on track.

Rear brake by wire

We explain technical topics in plain language and avoid guessing at parts we have not seen confirmed.

Modern Formula 1 cars generate most of their downforce from the floor, using shaped tunnels to accelerate air beneath the car.

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