After more than a month without racing, Formula 1 returns to action in Florida for the Miami Grand Prix, marking the fifth edition of the event.
The Miami International Autodrome, which measures 5.412 km, is not among the most demanding circuits for the braking system. According to Brembo engineers, the track is rated with a difficulty index of 2 out of 5. Over a single lap, drivers use the brakes for just under 10 seconds, approximately 11% of the lap time, one of the lowest figures of the entire season.
However, this statistic must now be interpreted differently compared to the past. With the 2026 Formula 1 cars, braking points take on an even more strategic role, as they become key moments for energy regeneration. On a circuit that is relatively light on braking demands, how deceleration is managed can significantly influence overall power unit efficiency and the amount of energy available on subsequent straights.
Analysis of corners and braking
In Miami, there are three major braking zones, all classified as Hard, although none exceed 4 g of deceleration. The most demanding is Turn 17, where the cars slow down from 320 km/h to 78 km/h in 3.66 seconds, covering 165 meters. In this phase, drivers experience a peak deceleration of 4 g, apply 114 kg of pressure on the brake pedal, and generate a braking power of 1,734 kW.
Compared to 2025, the new technical characteristics of the cars have changed the braking profile. Braking power levels have decreased, as has the pedal load, while braking time and distance have increased. At Turn 1, for example, braking power has dropped from 2,426 kW to 1,660 kW, with pedal load reduced from 169 to 120 kg. The braking phase has instead increased from 2.60 to 2.94 seconds, while the distance covered has grown from 117 to 136 meters.
The component technology has also evolved. In 2025, the front axle used Brembo carbon brake discs with a thickness of 32 mm and a diameter of 328 mm, featuring 1,050 ventilation holes of 3 mm. This year, teams are using discs with a diameter of 330 mm, with the possibility of reaching up to 345 mm, and 1,440 holes of 2.5 mm. Some teams have remained with 32 mm thickness, while others have moved up to 34 mm. This increase in size has raised the unit weight from 1.75 kg to 2 kg.
For Brembo, this will be a particularly special event. The Miami Grand Prix will mark the 900th Formula 1 race in which at least one car on the grid is equipped with braking components supplied by the Italian company. A long-standing history that began in 1975, when Brembo first supplied Ferrari with cast iron brake discs.