The controversy first erupted after the Monaco Grand Prix, when Charles Leclerc pointed to braking issues as one of the factors behind the difficulties that affected his weekend in the Principality and ultimately contributed to his accident following the Safety Car restart.
Just hours later, reports emerged that Ferrari already had an alternative solution available. Lewis Hamilton had been using Carbon Industries brake discs, and Charles Leclerc was expected to evaluate the same configuration during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at Barcelona’s Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
That prediction has now become reality.
For the Spanish Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc will use Carbon Industries discs and friction materials, the same setup Lewis Hamilton has relied on since the Japanese Grand Prix.
“Here in Barcelona we are going to change the brake configuration a little. How much difference will it make? We’ll see tomorrow. I’m not expecting a revolution, but in certain situations I expect them to be easier to manage,” Charles Leclerc explained during the Spanish Grand Prix media day.
At first glance, the move could appear to be a technical rejection of Brembo, Ferrari’s long-standing braking partner and supplier of key components for the Scuderia’s Formula 1 cars. In reality, however, the situation is much more complex and reflects a dynamic that is common in modern Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc follows Lewis Hamilton in testing Carbon Industries
Brake material selection has always been one of the most sensitive aspects of driver confidence in Formula 1. Every driver develops highly specific preferences regarding pedal feel, braking progression, consistency, and the way materials react across different temperature ranges.
For this reason, it is not unusual to see teams evaluate multiple solutions during a season or even switch suppliers between campaigns.
A recent example came from Max Verstappen. At the start of the 2024 season, the Dutch driver chose to move away from Carbon Industries and switch to Brembo, despite having dominated the previous championship using the French supplier’s products.
Ferrari itself now provides another example through the different approaches taken by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
After spending the majority of his Formula 1 career using Carbon Industries materials, Lewis Hamilton pushed strongly to recreate familiar braking sensations on the SF-26. Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, continued with the Brembo-based configuration that had accompanied him throughout his Ferrari career.
“It was a decision we made as a team to split the solutions. But the last two weekends have been more difficult than I initially expected,” Charles Leclerc admitted.
Following the challenges experienced in recent races, the Monegasque driver has now decided to explore a different path. This should be viewed as part of the technical freedom available to both drivers and teams rather than as a negative judgement on Brembo’s work.
2026 regulations have made brake behaviour even more critical
Driver preferences often evolve over time and are influenced by highly subjective factors that depend as much on feeling as on pure performance data.
That has become even more relevant under the current Formula 1 regulations, where braking feel has emerged as a particularly important topic.
The new generation of cars relies much more heavily on energy recovery through the increased electrical component of the powertrain. As a result, the conventional braking system contributes less to overall deceleration, particularly on the rear axle.
Because less energy is dissipated mechanically, maintaining the rear brakes within their ideal operating temperature range becomes more difficult. In practical terms, the discs work less, generate less heat, and become more sensitive to changes in usage conditions.
This issue can be especially noticeable on low-energy circuits such as Monaco, where prolonged Safety Car periods can amplify temperature management problems, or in cooler conditions like those encountered in Canada.
Traditionally, Carbon Industries materials have been considered slightly more aggressive than Brembo’s alternatives, particularly in terms of operating temperatures and wear characteristics.
When temperatures fall below the ideal range, carbon materials can lose some of their progressive feel, making braking behaviour less predictable for the driver. Some engineers have even suggested—perhaps exaggerating the point somewhat and overlooking the disadvantages such as increased weight—that steel rear brake discs might theoretically be more suitable than carbon discs under the 2026 regulations.
Regardless of the debate, one thing is clear: braking systems have become more driver-dependent than ever. Small differences in materials or thermal management strategies can produce dramatically different sensations behind the wheel.
Viewed through that lens, Charles Leclerc’s switch to Carbon Industries is primarily an attempt to find the configuration that best suits his driving style rather than a direct comparison between suppliers.
Ferrari and Brembo partnership remains stronger than ever
Most importantly, Charles Leclerc’s decision to test Carbon Industries brake discs will not alter the technological partnership between Ferrari and Brembo, a collaboration that has lasted for more than half a century and extends far beyond the brake discs currently at the centre of attention.
There will be no change to the contract that Ferrari and Brembo renewed earlier this year. The Italian company will continue supplying numerous critical components, including brake calipers, master cylinders, clutch systems, and technology from other brands within the group, such as Öhlins.
The relationship also extends successfully beyond Formula 1 into Ferrari’s endurance racing programmes and road car divisions.
Ultimately, Charles Leclerc’s Barcelona test should be viewed as part of a search for the optimal balance that allows him to regain confidence in one of the most important areas of driving. Braking has always been one of the strongest aspects of the Monegasque driver’s skill set, despite spending virtually his entire Formula 1 career using products from the Italian manufacturer.
For that reason, the key question during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend is not whether Brembo or Carbon Industries is objectively superior.
The real question is much simpler: will the new configuration help Charles Leclerc rediscover the confidence and feeling under braking that appeared to fade over recent race weekends?
The answer will come on track. Whatever the outcome, however, it will not diminish the value of one of Formula 1’s longest-standing and most successful technological partnerships. Ferrari and Brembo remain closely linked, and that relationship continues to be a cornerstone of Italian excellence in motorsport.
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