Supremely efficient and extremely hard-wearing, the carbon-ceramic brakes can force Formula One cars from 200mph to a standstill in just four seconds, generating a massive 5.4G for the drivers.
Brakes have to cope with temperatures that rise beyond 1000° Celsius and ensures the aerodynamics of the car are left unaffected by expelling turbulent and dirty air.
Air Ducts
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Air ducts are inlets around the wheels that direct airflow toward the brake calliper and the inside of the brake disc, which are both located inside the wheel itself. This constant airflow into and around the brake housing means that the brakes cool down and do not fail. The air ducts can be redesigned for each race, dependent upon the amount of cooling necessary for the brakes.
Originally introduced by Scuderia Ferrari in 2006, wheel fairings were controversial and originally thought to be hiding irregularities in the brake systems. Since then, however, Formula One ‘hubcaps’ have been introduced to the front wheels of every team on the grid and their addition has seen benefits to the performance of the entire car.
There are many facets to the brake system of a Formula One car. The carbon ceramic brakes have the strength and the efficiency to stop the car rapidly, despite the speed at which it travels. The wheel fairings have the most noticeable impact on the overall performance of the car though, due to a number of reasons. As the brake ducts and wheel fairings work together they draw in cool air, reducing the temperature of the brake system and the wheel fairings dispel the hot, used air. As the hot air is expelled from the brake system and out of the front wheels it spirals down the length of the Formula One car. The wheel fairing diverts the hot, turbulent air backwards and away from the car. This improves the aerodynamic efficiency of the car by improving the quality of the airflow passing around its body.
With new regulations eliminating a great deal of the aerodynamic downforce, the brake system and the wheel fairings are now more important than ever before in ensuring that the car maintains its balance and stability under braking.
