From 2026, Formula 1 will introduce a completely revamped braking system: 8-piston calipers, more brake pads, and new cooling solutions. Brembo warns: “The level of difficulty has grown significantly.”
Formula 1 is on the verge of one of the most radical technical revolutions in its recent history, with the new regulatory cycle set to take effect in 2026. A turning point that will rewrite the fundamentals of the sport: from next-gen hybrid power units to active aerodynamics, new tire specifications, and overall car weight.
But there’s more: among the areas undergoing decisive transformation is… the braking system, set for an unprecedented evolution.
The new Brembo system: more pistons, more efficiency
Mario Almondo, Chief Operating Officer of Brembo Performance, outlined the details in a recent interview with Motorsport.com, reported by HammerTime. From 2026, F1 cars will be allowed to run calipers with 8 pistons instead of 6, while each caliper will use 4 brake pads instead of 2.
Although this may slightly increase overall car weight, early simulations show it will improve pressure distribution and reduce the need for compensatory structural adjustments.
On top of that, the cooling holes in the discs will shrink from 3 millimeters to 2 millimeters, effectively making the 2026 braking system entirely new compared to today’s.
Almondo: “Difficulty level has increased”
Almondo also suggested that we could see different rear brake configurations depending on the circuit, tailored to each track’s characteristics. A sign of just how complex the 2026 rules will be, despite Nikolas Tombazis recently ruling out the return of “grey areas” in the regulations.
“The level of difficulty has increased a lot,” Almondo explained. “Teams only tell us the bare minimum about their developments, but we’ve formed our own ideas. I wouldn’t be surprised to see rear braking systems vary from track to track.”
A future full of unknowns: what kind of Formula 1 awaits?
The picture that emerges is of a Formula 1 ready to take an unprecedented technological leap—yet still surrounded by many uncertainties. With just over three months left before the new rules come into play, teams and suppliers are navigating uncharted waters, where success may depend on their ability to interpret the new regulations and adapt faster than their rivals.
Photo: FIA, Brembo
