Before we break down the exotic materials and why these F1 brakes cost so much, we need to understand the insane forces involved and the extreme power these things have. For a long time in F1 the limiting factor for braking was the grip available from the tyres – so the brakes were pretty similar to those from a road car. For example, in the 60s they were using steel discs – not too different from these road car brakes. However, tyres are now so advanced and F1 cars produce so much downforce – and therefore grip – that the brakes are subjected to monumental loads and temperatures. The braking phase is also absolutely crucial to lap time, so if you can brake later than your competitors – you will have a big advantage. And so teams spend around half a million pounds per year on the best quality discs and pads. All meaning that F1 cars can produce over 6G when braking – to put this more clearly, the F1 car produces three times the braking force of a McLaren Senna when stopping from 200mph.
