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How did Max Verstappen’s brake get to the point of explosion? RacingNews365 technical expert Paolo Filisetti takes a look.
After the Australian Grand Prix, there was a key issue within Red Bull concerning how Max Verstappen’s RB20’s right rear brake failed so spectacularly. Christian Horner, the team principal, revealed that the calliper gripped onto the brake disc from the race’s start, raising questions about the cause. One possible explanation, according to Brembo and Red Bull engineers, is an assembly error leading to residual pressure in the hydraulic line towards the car’s right rear. This residual pressure effectively tightened the calliper, mimicking braking even at full throttle. The resulting prolonged friction caused rapid overheating, well beyond operational values, ultimately leading to the brake drum catching fire. The complex design of the brake drum, with its various ventilation ducts, likely exacerbated the situation.
