From Mercedes GP
It may sound counter-intuitive but being quick in Formula One isn't just about going fast - stopping well is also a major part of the equation. Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve features seven braking zones in all, of which six are considered to be 'heavy' and four involve braking from over 295 kph.
It amounts to one of the toughest circuits of the year for the brakes. Getting the braking system right for Montreal involves fitting revised air ducts to optimise the cooling, and using different materials to ensure consistent performance for each one of the race's 70 laps. It's no small challenge.
Here’s what the Mercedes GP engineers had to say about braking an F1 car in Montreal.
How severe a test is Montreal for the brakes?
The energy input to the brakes is roughly double that measured in Spa. At both circuits, the drivers spend around 15 seconds of the total lap time braking; in Montreal this accounts for 20% of the lap spent on the brakes, while in Spa it only represents 14%.
Where is the heaviest braking event on the circuit?
The biggest single braking event comes at Turn 10, where the cars must slow from 295 kph to just 60 kph for the corner apex. The cars shed 235 kph in a distance of just 140m. When deceleration is at its greatest, the drivers are subjected to peak forces of some 5.5G.
How hard are the drivers working in the cockpit under braking?
The force the drivers exert on the pedal is approximately 2000 newtons - that's equivalent to lifting 200 kg. The theoretical stopping distance of a Formula One car from 300 kph to zero is approximately 135 metres in a straight line, but varies according to drag levels and tire grip.
It may sound counter-intuitive but being quick in Formula One isn't just about going fast - stopping well is also a major part of the equation. Montreal's Circuit Gilles Villeneuve features seven braking zones in all, of which six are considered to be 'heavy' and four involve braking from over 295 kph.
It amounts to one of the toughest circuits of the year for the brakes. Getting the braking system right for Montreal involves fitting revised air ducts to optimise the cooling, and using different materials to ensure consistent performance for each one of the race's 70 laps. It's no small challenge.
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| Ferrari brakes (Photo: WRi2) |
Here’s what the Mercedes GP engineers had to say about braking an F1 car in Montreal.
How severe a test is Montreal for the brakes?
The energy input to the brakes is roughly double that measured in Spa. At both circuits, the drivers spend around 15 seconds of the total lap time braking; in Montreal this accounts for 20% of the lap spent on the brakes, while in Spa it only represents 14%.
Where is the heaviest braking event on the circuit?
The biggest single braking event comes at Turn 10, where the cars must slow from 295 kph to just 60 kph for the corner apex. The cars shed 235 kph in a distance of just 140m. When deceleration is at its greatest, the drivers are subjected to peak forces of some 5.5G.
How hard are the drivers working in the cockpit under braking?
The force the drivers exert on the pedal is approximately 2000 newtons - that's equivalent to lifting 200 kg. The theoretical stopping distance of a Formula One car from 300 kph to zero is approximately 135 metres in a straight line, but varies according to drag levels and tire grip.