AFTER THE TRIP TO CANADA, FORMULA ONE RACING RETURNS TO EUROPE FOR THE NEXT SIX RACES.

After the trip to Canada, Formula 1 racing returns to Europe for the next six GPs. According to Brembo technicians, the Austrian circuit falls into the category of tracks with a medium level of difficulty for the brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it is rated 3 on the difficulty index, the same as the track in neighboring Budapest.

The Red Bull Ring also hosts the MotoGP, although the track is slightly different since the bikes have to tackle a chicane at Corner 2. This variation reduced speed at Corner 3 where an accident occurred in 2020 involving an out-of-control bike that crossed the track, fortunately without hitting any other riders. ​

Niki - first in everything ​​

The first corner of the Austrian circuit is named in honor of Niki Lauda, who died in 2019. Ten years ago, Brembo presented Lauda with the 'Bernie Ecclestone Award 2013' resembling a Formula 1 braking system, acknowledging his contribution to the history of Formula One as a driver, team consultant, TV commentator and non-executive President of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team.

Lauda made a fine contribution to the success of Brembo in Formula 1 in that precisely when Team Ferrari began using Brembo cast iron discs in 1975, it won the World Driver's Title for the first time in 11 years. In the same year, Lauda was also the first to take pole position and win a GP using Brembo brake components. Over his career, Niki retired five times because of brake problems - but never when racing with Brembo brakes.

Three braking sections of at least 5.3 G​​​

As already mentioned, MotoGP riders have to brake even through Corner 2, whereas Formula One single-seaters take this bend at full speed. This is not the only factor that determines the differences in overall braking times per lap, 10.7 seconds for F1 against 30 seconds for MotoGP. The differences in braking distances are even wider, at Corner 1, cars only need 101 meters to decelerate by 178 km/h, whereas MotoGP bikes need 242 meters.

In managing to brake in such short distances, thanks especially to having four wheels, F1 drivers are subjected to significant decelerations, in three braking moments of no less than 5.3 G and in three others of more than 3 G. Loads on the brake pedal are also very high, with peaks of 175-177 kg. On adding up all the braking sections during the race, from the start to the finishing flag, each driver exerts a load of 62 tons on the brake pedal.

177 kg (313 lbs.) load on the brake pedal ​ ​​​​

Of the seven braking sections in the Australian GP, three are classified as being very demanding on the brakes, 3 as medium difficulty and the last one as light.

The stiffest braking is at first corner after the starting line. With a load on the brake pedal of 177 km/h and deceleration of 5,5 km/h (318 to 140 km/h or 172 to 92 mph) in just 1.85 seconds, while covering 101 meters (91 yards).

And what about the video games? ​ ​​

Performing the first braking section in the Austrian GP perfectly in the Formula 1 video game, don't forget that the track is uphill and that if you brake too early you risk slowing down too much.

Keeping entirely to the left side, start braking just before reaching the 100 meters sign. After engaging fifth gear, steer to the right but continue braking and then drop to fourth gear. The transition over the inner curb is lightning fast but don't be too quick to press the accelerator pedal while the wheels are on the external green to avoid a penalty. ​

•The video of the hardest braking point of the GP, in mp4 format (low and high resolution): https://we.tl/t-PyqKC2D1V7

•The video can also be consulted at the YT link: https://youtu.be/awb5Sk335dw

•The comment of the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix according to Brembo, in web format: https://www.brembo.com/en/company/news/2023-formula-1-austria-gp-brembo-brakes

•The video that presents in detail the characteristics of the Brembo braking systems functionality on a Formula 1 single-seater, that you can download at the following link: https://mediakit.brembo.com/index.php/brembo-continues-to-be-the-braking-systems-leader-in-the-2023-formula-1-championship#videos

Photo credit: Brembo
posted on conceptcarz.com

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