PRESS RELEASENew Brembo brake systems for the2010 Formula 1 World ChampionshipStezzano, 12th March 2010. Brembo brake systems evolve and adapt in response torequirements imposed by the new technical regulations for the 2010 F1 season.
Among the most significant changes is the notable weight shift that will occur during
the race, which means the brake balance must be managed differently.
This year, like last, there will be six teams on the track using brake systems supplied
by Brembo: BMW Sauber F1 Team, MERCEDES GP PETRONAS F1 Team, Red BullRacing, Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, Scuderia Toro Rosso, and the HRT F1 Team.
2009 season: immediate success for lighter and more compact rear brakes
The set-up for brake systems used in the 2009 season had been influenced mainly
by two factors: the reduction of downforce — especially on the rear end — and thechange to slick tyres. This had led to improved performance at the front end,
allowing the adoption of lighter and more compact brakes at the rear.
It is memorable that the top four drivers and the top two teams in the standings at
the end of the 2009 season were racing with Brembo systems, and that these werevictorious at circuits notoriously hard on brakes: the Bahrain GP was won by Button(BrawnGP) with Vettel (Red Bull Racing) in second place, whilst at Monza, Barrichelloand Button made it a one-two for BrawnGP.
Both these venues have again been included in the 2010 Formula 1 calendar, andthere is also a welcome return to the demanding Montreal circuit, where BMW andBrembo captured the top two places on the podium in 2008.
More weight means heavier workload for brake systems
The technical regulations for 2010 throw up certain key aspects that will increase
the amount of energy dissipated by the brakes. First of all, the minimum weight ofthe car (including coolant, oil and driver body weight) increases from 605 to 620 kg,
but still more of a challenge will be managing the fuel load needed for the entire
race — around 120 kg more on the starting grid.
With no more refuelling, the teams must now use tanks of 230-240 litres capacity asagainst 100 litres in 2009, which means that around 160 kg will be shed during thecourse of the race, inevitably altering the general balance of the car. Accordingly,the aim of Brembo engineers has been to develop systems with a greater capacity todissipate energy, and a high standard of efficiency under every kind of loadcondition — and therefore at any temperature — especially as the cars will becarrying minimal fuel loads during qualifying. This means an imperative requirement
for materials and systems able to operate across a wide thermal spectrum.
Similarly, with front tyre treads now 20 mm narrower, there will be a different
balance of braking power, dictated by a different distribution of grip between thefront and rear axles. During the 2009 season, the proportion of grip at the front
wheels would reach perhaps 60…65%, whereas in 2010 this will come down toaround 53%.
New friction materials for discs and pads
Brembo continues to explore new avenues in the development of friction materials
for discs and pads, with the aim of making these same materials more manageable,
given the wide ranges of operating torque and temperature values envisaged.
Because the front and rear brakes are used more frequently during the first half ofthe race, the performance of the friction material needs to be monitored closely.
Engineers must also address the problem of ‘vitrification’, a chemical process
tending to occur on certain tracks when the brakes are not under any great stress.
This will be minimized by adopting materials better suited for operation at low
torques/temperatures.
Brakes will be more and more decisive
With the increase in weight, the longer wheelbase dictated by a larger fuel tank, thereduced width of the front tyres, and the introduction of new turning vanes
resulting in less downforce, brakes will have an even more important part to play inovertaking. And remember, brakes will have an increasingly decisive influence on
the outcome of races, now that the impact of fuel strategies has been completelyeliminated.

For further information, please contact:

Massimo Arduini
Brembo F1 Media Relation Consultant Manager
GSM: +39.348.3147680 - @: m.arduini@lpditalia.it

Francesca Muratori
Brembo Media Relations Manager@Francesca_muratori@brembo.it