Brembo explains how braking will change with the new Formula 1 cars: “Braking will be completely transformed”
The 2026 Formula 1 technical regulations will profoundly change the cars, and braking systems are no exception. Andrea Dellavedova, Formula 1 track engineer for Brembo Racing, explains what’s happening with braking, from electric energy recovery to new technical solutions and the design choices teams are already experimenting with during early tests in Barcelona.
The 2026 F1 season will mark one of the most significant technical revolutions in decades. More electrified power units, active aerodynamics, and cars fundamentally different from those seen last season. These changes affect not only how fast a car goes but also how it slows down.
During the first closed-door pre-season F1 2026 tests at Barcelona, teams are starting to explore a new approach to braking. “From 2026, braking will be almost completely transformed,” Andrea Dellavedova told Fanpage.it exclusively. Brembo Racing is a global leader in braking systems and a constant presence in the F1 paddock.
What changes in the brakes compared to current F1
The new technical regulations first alter the dimensions of the braking system. Discs will be thicker than before and may have different diameters, especially at the front. The internal structure changes as well: ventilation holes can be smaller and more numerous, allowing different heat management strategies.
Simply put, 2026 brakes will have to work under more variable conditions than in the past. The regulations also give teams more freedom in caliper design: teams can choose different configurations, more brake pads, and alternative mounting solutions.
“The regulations set the boundaries, but within those, each team decides how to position itself,” Dellavedova explains. This is where the close collaboration between Brembo and the teams comes into play, already during the car design phase.
Why teams choose one configuration over another
There isn’t an absolutely “right” solution. Each team selects its braking system based on key factors. The first is pure performance—i.e., the braking torque relative to how much the car can transfer to the track.
Then there’s weight, a critical aspect because brakes are unsprung mass: reducing it improves the car’s handling. Cooling is also important and must integrate perfectly with the team’s air intake design.
Finally, there is pedal feel, which is essential for the drivers. “Drivers prefer a very stiff and responsive pedal,” Dellavedova says. The caliper design directly affects this sensation, even though translating human perception into absolute numbers remains difficult.
For this reason, in 2026, each team will have a dedicated solution: varying the number of pistons, brake pads, and especially the caliper body design, always developed in line with the car’s overall design concept.
Electrified braking: what really changes
The big innovation in 2026 F1 is electric regeneration, which will play a far more important role, especially at the rear axle. Part of the energy that was previously dissipated by traditional brakes will now be recovered by the power unit.
This makes braking less predictable than before. “During a lap or a race, regeneration levels can change depending on team strategy and battery state,” Dellavedova explains. The braking system must therefore perform well across very different scenarios.
Active aerodynamics and braking management
Active aerodynamics will also indirectly influence braking. By changing downforce, the ability of the tyres to transfer braking force to the track changes. It doesn’t directly affect cooling, but it does alter the car’s balance under braking.
This makes the start of 2026 a delicate phase. “The truth is discovered when the cars hit the track,” Brembo’s engineer says. Current tests in Barcelona aren’t enough; only full testing and the first races will reveal how the system truly performs as a whole.
Initial risks and Brembo’s role
The main risk remains using the material outside the optimal operating window, causing a performance drop. This is a known issue, but in a more complex system, it can emerge more easily.
In this context, Brembo’s experience becomes crucial. The company supplies calipers to the entire grid and has been working for years alongside teams on track, in simulations, and in continuous development. “It’s always a collaborative effort,” says the engineer from Parabiago, highlighting the connection between those designing the material and those using it on track.
A more complex, yet more exciting challenge
Formula 1 2026 makes braking more complex, but also more fascinating. “The very concept of braking changes,” Dellavedova explains. The combination of traditional brakes, electric regeneration, and aerodynamic management opens a new phase, where integration matters more than any single technical solution.
In an increasingly electrified Formula 1, braking once again becomes a decisive factor in understanding which teams interpret the new regulations best. And, once again, Brembo is called upon behind the scenes to make the difference.
This technical evolution highlights how the 2026 regulations are pushing the boundaries of traditional engineering by blending mechanical friction with sophisticated energy recovery systems. As Brembo navigates these “turned upside down” braking dynamics, the focus remains on providing drivers with the consistency and confidence needed to master a more unpredictable car. Ultimately, the success of the next generation of F1 will depend largely on how seamlessly these complex systems can harmonize under the intense pressures of Grand Prix racing.
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