P1racenews AI automatic summary:
At the beginning of the current F1 season, Max Verstappen and Red Bull switched to another brand of brake discs, a striking choice since 2023 was so dominant for the Milton Keynes-based team. The choice did not go unnoticed, however, as another team has also made the change.
Since the start of the 2023 Formula 1 season in Bahrain, Red Bull Racing has been equipped with a full brake package from the renowned Italian brand Brembo. Initially, only using Brembo calipers, Max Verstappen’s influence led to a complete switch to Brembo brake discs as well. Both the Red Bull and AlphaTauri teams transitioned to Brembo brake discs, emphasizing the significant role driver preference plays in such technical decisions. The move to Brembo from Carbon Industry by the Red Bull teams signals a shift towards performance optimization based on driver feedback. Verstappen’s pivotal role in the decision-making process points towards a potential “Verstappen effect” influencing other teams to consider similar changes in the future. With competitive margins being razor-thin in F1, selecting high-quality and reliable components like Brembo brakes can offer a crucial edge in performance and consistency, impacting grid positions and race outcomes significantly.
