The 2026 Formula 1 season is gearing up for a radical transformation that will not only affect power units but also revolutionize how cars brake. New technical regulations will require teams and suppliers, including Brembo, to rethink braking systems to accommodate a completely new balance between internal combustion engines and electric power.
Under the new rules, the energy balance will shift from the current 80/20 split to an even 50/50 between thermal and electric power. The MGU-K system will see its power rise from 120 kW (161 hp) to around 350 kW (469 hp), while the MGU-H unit will be eliminated. This change will make regenerative braking significantly more important, reducing reliance on traditional hydraulic systems.
Andrea Algeri, Brembo’s Formula 1 customer manager, told Autosport.com that this is one of the most complex regulatory challenges he has ever seen. He explained that in his 15-year career, he had never witnessed such a significant rule change, and the combination of increased power, active aerodynamics, and lighter car weights will force teams to completely rethink brake systems.
Greater design freedom for teams
The updated regulations provide teams with more design flexibility. Front brake discs may range from 325 to 345 mm in diameter, rear discs from 260 to 280 mm, with a maximum thickness of 34 mm. Three-point caliper mounts and more complex internal configurations will also be permitted, opening new avenues for innovation in braking technology.
The weight and cooling challenge
With the minimum car weight dropping to 768 kg despite larger batteries, teams will need to carefully balance size, performance, and lightness. According to Algeri, some teams are daring to reduce rear brake sizes to save crucial grams, but the FIA will maintain minimum limits for safety reasons.
Cooling strategies will also require a rethink. Low-speed circuits such as Monaco or Singapore will become more challenging for braking systems, as regenerated energy saturates batteries faster, forcing drivers to rely more on traditional braking. Brembo anticipates flexible solutions, such as fewer drilled holes to retain heat on less demanding tracks and high-ventilation discs for high-speed circuits like Monza and Spa.
Software as critical as hardware
With the increasing weight of energy recovery systems, braking in 2026 will be as much about algorithms and electronic strategy as it is about hardware. Teams must manage braking torque between mechanical and regenerative systems in real time, optimizing energy recovery while maintaining vehicle stability under braking.
In summary, the future of Formula 1 will be a battleground where aerodynamics, electronics, and vehicle dynamics converge like never before. As Brembo engineers emphasize, mastering the art of braking will be the ultimate key to success in 2026.
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