Formula 1 cars use “carbon/carbon” brake pads. Carbon/carbon is a composite material that consists of carbon fiber in a matrix of graphite. It was originally created for the nose cones of intercontinental ballistic missiles and is also the material used for nose cone and leading edges on the Space Shuttles. Carbon/carbon was brought to Formula 1 by the Brabham team in 1976 and the material is now standard in Formula 1 brake systems.

The carbon/carbon brake pads are actuated by a 6-piston opposed caliper. The calipers must be made of aluminum alloy. The calipers also utilize titanium pistons. The titanium pistons help save weight, but they have a low thermal conductivity, which reduces the flow of heat into the brake fluid. No more than two brake pads are allowed per rotor.

Full carbon pads with full carbon rotors allow for normal operation up to 3000 degrees Fahrenheit!

Source: wikipedia.org

High Performance Brakes

Disc brakes are used for high performance racing vehicles. A rotor and caliper are present at each wheel. Expensive carbon-carbon composite rotors are used instead of steel or cast iron. This is because of carbon’s superior thermal, frictional and anti-warping capabilities. It also offers a significant weight savings. The brakes are designed to perform in extreme temperatures and can operate up to 1,000 degrees Celsius.

Brakes Make the Difference

A Formula 1 car can decelerate from 62-0 mph in about 55 ft. Compare this to a 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo which takes about 103 feet to brake from 62-0 mph. Formula 1 cars can brake from 124 mph to a complete stop in just 2.9 seconds and use only 213 feet.