Formula 1: Top 4 challenges of the new regulations

Formula 1 challenges: No. 2 – Larger brake discs

With the implementation of larger 18-inch tires, the associated brake discs have had to grow as well. This increase in size has led to changes in the thermodynamics of the brake discs, causing a litany of problems among a number of teams on the grid.

Even among teams that have handled the temperature issue better, there was a large amount of radio communication from pit walls warning their drivers of the performance loss (including Max Verstappen at the end of his bout with Charles Leclerc).

The most infamous of these has been the front brakes of the McLaren reaching abnormally high temperatures, even on the cool night of the Bahrain Grand Prix. The team went so far as to have new brake-duct designs 3D-printed and shipped to Bahrain in advance of competitive running on the race weekend to attempt to halt their woes. This proved to be unsuccessful.

One of the most impactful regulatory aspects hampering the cooling of the brakes has been the introduction of wheel covers. Teams have previously used this space to manage their brake temperatures by forcing hot air outwards, but they have quite literally been blocked by the new wheel covers.

Teams are now forced to find solutions in which the induction of cool air and expulsion of hot air must both be done on the inside of the tires.

Thankfully for teams struggling with this, such as McLaren, they won’t be facing a circuit with a high number of heavy braking zones until round four in Imola.

In the coming races at Jeddah and Melbourne (track changes in Australia have made the circuit more power-focused), there should be enough high-speed running to keep the brake discs cool with a constant flow of fresh air on the sweeping straights.