Brembo expects Formula 1’s 2026 cars to place less stress on their braking systems at the Brazilian Grand Prix than in 2025, with particularly significant differences at Turn 12. According to the Italian brake manufacturer’s simulations, the braking pedal load at that corner will fall from 148 kg to 89 kg, while deceleration will decrease from 4.7 g to 3 g. Despite these reductions, Interlagos still features some demanding braking zones, particularly at Turn 1.
Formula 1 continues its championship in Brazil at Interlagos, the venue for some of the most iconic races in World Championship history. The Autódromo José Carlos Pace presents a distinctive challenge for modern F1 cars, combining elevation changes, technical corners and a layout that demands a careful compromise between performance and tyre management. According to Brembo’s engineers, the Brazilian circuit is relatively undemanding on braking systems overall, although several sections still subject both drivers and brakes to considerable stress.
Brazilian GP braking analysis: Turn 1 is the most demanding corner at Interlagos
Brazil has hosted a total of 52 Formula 1 Grands Prix, with ten taking place at the Autódromo do Rio de Janeiro, which has not been used since 1989, and 42 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in Interlagos. The São Paulo venue ranks sixth among the circuits that have hosted the most Formula 1 World Championship races.
According to Brembo’s engineers, the 4.309-kilometre circuit falls into the category of tracks that place relatively low demands on braking systems. On Brembo’s five-point braking difficulty scale, Interlagos receives a rating of just 2 out of 5.
Despite that relatively modest classification, drivers spend more than 14 seconds per lap braking, equivalent to approximately 20% of the total lap time. Each lap features six braking events: two classified as Hard, one as Medium and three as Light.
The most demanding braking zone at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace is Turn 1. Formula 1 cars approach the corner at 312 km/h before slowing to 115 km/h in just 2.93 seconds.
During this braking phase, the cars cover 156 metres, with drivers experiencing a deceleration of 3.7 g. The force applied to the brake pedal reaches 104 kg, while braking power peaks at 1,538 kW.
These figures illustrate the precision required from drivers when approaching Turn 1, particularly because it represents one of the principal overtaking opportunities at the Brazilian circuit.
Brembo reveals why 2026 F1 brakes face less stress than in 2025
The technical characteristics of Formula 1’s current generation of cars have changed their braking behaviour compared with the previous season.
According to Brembo, the demands placed on drivers and braking systems at the 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix will be lower than those recorded in 2025. The difference is particularly evident at Turn 12, where the manufacturer’s simulations highlight a substantial reduction in braking forces.
During the 2025 race weekend, drivers experienced a deceleration of 4.7 g at this corner and had to apply 148 kg of force to the brake pedal.
For 2026, Brembo’s simulations indicate that deceleration will decrease to 3 g, while the required brake pedal force will fall to 89 kg. The braking distance and duration are also expected to increase. Drivers will need 98 metres to slow their cars, compared with 84 metres in 2025, while braking time will rise from 1.73 seconds to 2.01 seconds.
The comparison demonstrates how changes in Formula 1 car characteristics can directly influence the forces experienced by braking systems, even when racing at the same circuit.
It also highlights the importance of understanding how each generation of cars behaves through individual corners, rather than assessing braking demands solely through the overall characteristics of a circuit.
Ayrton Senna’s historic Brazilian GP victory and the importance of Brembo brakes
Interlagos has witnessed some of the most memorable moments in Formula 1 history, including one particularly significant victory that Brembo recalls in its analysis of the Brazilian circuit.
Thirty-five years ago, Ayrton Senna produced an extraordinary performance to win his home Grand Prix in a McLaren equipped with Brembo brakes.
The Brazilian driver had personally requested the braking system after testing it during his earlier spell with Lotus. During the race, Ayrton Senna encountered a gearbox problem that progressively deprived him of several gears. Over the final ten laps, he was left with only sixth gear available.
Without the normal assistance of engine braking, the Brazilian champion had to rely even more heavily on his braking system, placing additional demands on its components. Despite the difficulties, Ayrton Senna adapted his driving with exceptional precision and control, securing his first victory in his home Grand Prix.
The achievement remains one of the defining moments in the history of Interlagos, a circuit whose previous winners, pole positions and other historical achievements can be explored through the Formula 1 circuit records and statistics database.
How Brembo develops customised brake calipers for Formula 1 teams
Modern Formula 1 brake calipers are manufactured from aluminium, but their design and structural characteristics can differ considerably between teams. Brembo develops customised solutions for individual cars, working closely with each team’s designers to establish the most suitable stiffness and ventilation characteristics for their particular design requirements.
These choices can vary significantly from one team to another. Some request ventilation fins on the exterior of the caliper body to improve cooling, while others prefer narrower but deeper pins.
Other teams favour outlet designs that increase the surface area exposed to airflow, improving heat exchange and helping the braking system manage its operating temperatures. The result is a highly specialised development process in which brake components are designed around the requirements of each Formula 1 car rather than following a single universal configuration.
Even at Interlagos, which Brembo classifies as one of the less demanding circuits for braking systems, these details remain an essential part of the pursuit of performance.
The 2026 Brazilian Grand Prix weekend will provide another opportunity to observe how the current generation of Formula 1 cars handles the circuit’s technical demands, including the heavy braking zone at Turn 1 and the significantly altered braking characteristics at Turn 12.
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