Brembo Says Saudi F1 Track Braking Challenge

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — According to Brembo technicians, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) outside the Saudi Arabian city, is ranked as a track with a high level of difficulty for brakes. On a scale of 1 to 5, it is rated 4 on the difficulty index.

As a country that exports liquid hydrocarbon, Saudi Arabia aims to slash 44 million tons of carbon per year by 2035. The main aim remains that of achieving zero emissions by 2060; the F1 GP is also moving in this direction with electronic tickets, solar power and 43,000 square meters (141,076 feet) of green space.

An ambitious goal

Environmental, social and governance issues have always been an integral part of Brembo’s strategy. This can be seen in the recognition obtained for the fifth time running of the double A rating from CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project), the global non-profit organization that assesses commitment to sustainability.

The award encourages the company to continue to move towards a more sustainable future in which we should all feel obliged to make a shared effort. In 2022 Brembo increased the amount of energy supplied by renewable energy sources by 53% and CO2 emissions in its offices and plants were 29 percent lower than in 2019.

The two temples of speed

With no 90 degree turns, the Jeddah Cornich Circuit is the longest and fastest city circuit in the World Championship: drivers have to use the brakes eight times on each lap, but even so, the average lap speed is just under 254 km/h (158 mph), partly because between Turn 8 and Turn 12 the drivers never have to slow down.

The brakes are used for just under 11 seconds per lap amounting to 13 percent of the race: only Monza has lower absolute values and percentages. Although there are six braking points per lap where drivers exert a load on the pedal of at least 140 kg (308 lb), the total value from start to finish is less than 52 metric tons.

6 km/h (128 mph) deceleration in 2.5 seconds

Of the eight braking sections in the Saudi Arabian GP, four are classified as very demanding on the brakes, two are of medium difficulty and the other two are light.

The hardest on the brake system is the last one because the single seaters come on to it after braking for the last time on corner 22.

As they come onto corner 27, the cars reach 319 km/h (198 mph) before using the brakes for the 2.5 seconds needed to slow down to 113 km/h (70 mph).

In the meantime, they cover a distance of 123 meters (134.5 yards) and the drivers experience 4.9G of deceleration.

And what about the video games?

The walls of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit are the biggest concern for those who try their hand at the Formula 1 video game but fortunately the last corner has a wide escape lane. Keeping as far right as possible on the track, start braking when you see the 100 m sign. As you brake, move down three gears and hold back before cornering in making sure you do not touch the wall.

Source

Mike Geylin
Mike Geylin

Mike Geylin is the Editor-in-Chief at Hagman Media. Geylin has been in automotive communications for five decades working in all aspects of the industry from OEM to supplier to motorsports as well as reporting for both newspapers and magazines on the industry.