Brake-by-Wire:
Stopping & Harvesting
F1 brakes don't just stop the car—they recharge it. In 2026, the rear brakes are almost entirely electronic.
How F1 Brakes Work
F1 cars use carbon-fibre discs and pads that can withstand temperatures of over 1,000°C. When a driver hits the pedal, they experience up to 5G of deceleration—enough to make teardrops fly forward onto the visor. This is why F1 drivers can brake later than any other racing series.
Why Do F1 Brakes Glow?
When the drivers brake hard at the end of a long straight, the friction generates immense heat (up to 1,000°C). This causes the carbon material to glow bright orange. It is perfectly normal and shows the brakes are working at their limit.
Front vs Rear
Because of weight transfer, when a car brakes, all the weight shifts to the front nose. This means the front tyres do about 60-70% of the stopping work.
Front Brakes
Large hydraulic calipers and discs. They do the heavy lifting.
Rear Brakes
Smaller, lighter, and electronically controlled (Brake-by-Wire).
Brake-by-Wire (BBW)
The rear brakes in a modern F1 car are "Brake-by-Wire". There is no direct physical connection between the pedal and the rear calipers.
The "Blending" Process
- Step 1: Driver presses the brake pedal.
- Step 2: The computer (ECU) calculates the total stopping force needed.
- Step 3: The ECU checks the battery status. If it needs charging, it activates the MGU-K (electric motor) to act as a generator. This creates magnetic resistance (drag) on the rear axle, slowing the car down.
- Step 4: If the MGU-K drag isn't enough to stop the car as fast as the driver wants, the ECU activates the physical hydraulic calipers to fill the gap.
2026 Impact
In 2026, the MGU-K is three times more powerful (350kW). This means the electric motor can provide massive stopping power on its own.
As a result, the physical rear brake discs will be barely used. They are effectively just a backup system in case the electrical system fails.
Brake Bias
Drivers can adjust the "Brake Bias" using a dial on the steering wheel. This changes the balance of braking force between front and rear.
More stable, less likely to spin, but easier to lock up a front wheel (understeer).
Helps rotate the car into the corner, but riskier—can cause the rear to snap (oversteer).