The topic of brakes became one of the biggest stories inside Ferrari during the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, although the discussion had already begun in Canada. Throughout the Montreal weekend, Charles Leclerc repeatedly complained about the behavior of the braking system, linking the issue not only to the brakes themselves but also to tyre temperatures and overall balance.
In Canada, the combination of low-grip asphalt, cool temperatures and a lack of high-speed corners created a particularly difficult environment for the Monegasque driver. Lewis Hamilton, by contrast, appeared much more comfortable behind the wheel. While the Canadian circuit has traditionally suited the seven-time world champion, Charles Leclerc suggested that there were also technical reasons behind the difference in performance, specifically related to the braking system.
Charles Leclerc hints at an alternative solution
“We know we have a solution available, but I didn’t want to try it here in Monaco,” Charles Leclerc said after qualifying, having once again struggled with brake feel throughout the weekend.
The race accident only intensified his frustration. Immediately after crashing into the barriers, the Ferrari driver made his feelings clear over team radio: “I’m not going to take the blame for this. These damn brakes are to blame,” he said in the heat of the moment.
Charles Leclerc later repeated the same message during his post-race media interviews, while also revealing an interesting detail regarding his teammate: “Lewis has been using different brakes for the last three races and I think I’ll be using them as well from the next race,” he explained, although he chose not to go into specific technical details.
Lewis Hamilton returned to a familiar solution
According to information reported by AutoRacer after qualifying in Monaco, Lewis Hamilton has been using a preferred brake configuration since the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The setup still features Brembo brake calipers but incorporates brake discs manufactured by Carbon Industries. These are the same discs Lewis Hamilton used for many years during his highly successful spell with Mercedes and the same supplier he left behind when he joined Ferrari.
The decision is rooted in a preference that dates back several seasons. During his final year at Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton reportedly pushed strongly for the continued use of Carbon Industries components, not because of any quality concerns regarding Brembo products, but because of the confidence and familiarity he had developed with the French manufacturer’s discs over many years.
Ferrari, however, remained committed to its long-standing partnership with Brembo, a relationship that stretches back more than five decades. The team continued to rely on solutions that were already well understood and had historically delivered strong results.
A long process behind the change
The story did not begin this season. During last year’s Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari introduced an update to the brake pads that helped improve the situation and allowed Lewis Hamilton to feel more comfortable with the package.
Even so, the seven-time world champion continued to advocate for a solution that more closely matched the characteristics he had become accustomed to during his Mercedes years.
Throughout the winter, Lewis Hamilton reportedly continued discussions with Ferrari engineers, eventually convincing the team to approve the alternative setup. Following a test in Bahrain during pre-season preparations, Ferrari quietly moved forward with the change. Without any major public announcement, Lewis Hamilton has effectively been following his own path since the Japanese Grand Prix, using the Carbon Industries discs that he feels best suit his driving style.
It is important to note that the vast majority of the braking system on the number 44 Ferrari remains supplied by Brembo. The change concerns only a specific component of the overall package rather than a complete redesign of the braking system.
Will Charles Leclerc make the same switch?
The brake disc solution used by Lewis Hamilton is precisely the one Charles Leclerc was referring to after the Monaco Grand Prix. Given the difficulties he has experienced in recent races, particularly regarding rear brake temperatures and brake feel, Ferrari may now seriously consider allowing him to evaluate the same configuration.
According to information gathered by the Italian media, Charles Leclerc could begin testing the Carbon Industries discs in the coming weeks as he searches for a way to regain the confidence that appears to have been missing at several key moments this season.
With the Spanish Grand Prix approaching and Ferrari eager to address one of the most discussed technical issues inside the team, all attention will now turn to whether Charles Leclerc follows Lewis Hamilton’s lead in the hope of solving a problem that has increasingly affected his performances during the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
Leave a Reply