24h Le Mans
Every year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans brings together the greatest constructors and best engineers in the world of endurance racing. As one of the key technical partners, Brembo plays a critical role in braking system performance and reliability. The Italian company works closely with teams to design, fine-tune and monitor brakes capable of withstanding 24 hours of racing
The development of braking systems begins long before the car hits the track. As soon as the main features of a Hypercar are defined – weight, power, overall architecture – Brembo reports for duty. The main goal is to adapt the braking system to the specific requirements of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), including endurance, consistency, thermal resistance and integration with the car's other components. It is a strategic co-design process.
The 24 Hours teams expect their brakes to be efficient, reliable and able to withstand extreme thermal pressure. Consistent braking over 24 hours is essential, as is the ability to operate effectively in ever-changing circumstances: day, night, rain, traffic, etc. Braking must remain precise, stable and powerful at all times.
During every running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Brembo deploys a dedicated team of engineers and technicians. Their mission is to support customer teams, ensure rigorous technical support and monitor brake condition in real time. During such a demanding race, Brembo's assistance is essential to anticipate wear and guarantee consistent performance.
Driver input is central to brake development. Brembo engineers analyse the feedback on parameters such as pedal responsiveness, disc bite, caliper stiffness and deceleration sensation. These notes, combined with telemetry data, allow settings to be optimised and provide a response tailored to the driver's style and strategic demands of the race.
On the track, brake wear is heavily scrutinized. Sensors installed on the calipers measure the thickness of the discs and carbon pads in real time. In addition, predictive models developed by Brembo are used to estimate wear changes based on temperature, driving style and thermal pressure. This dual system ensures precise monitoring and allows for the anticipation of potential replacements.
During the race, certain brake adjustments are permitted primarily for cooling purposes. Teams can adjust the air duct openings to manage disc and caliper temperatures. It is also possible to change the pads or discs in the event of advanced wear, but no major structural modifications to the system are allowed by the technical regulations of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
How to reduce brake wear without compromising performance? Though possible, it does require specific attention. Anticipating braking, avoiding lock-ups and regulating pressure are all actions that help protect discs and pads. However, this approach shouldn't come at the expense of pure performance, especially during critical phases such as braking at the end of a straight or when overtaking.
At Le Mans, every element of a car counts. The braking system (employed up to 4,000 times in 24 hours) must be up to the challenge. Thanks to close collaboration with the teams and careful focus on the drivers, Brembo designs brakes capable of delivering performance, endurance and reliability. It is a behind-the-scenes effort, but it is crucial as competitors aim for victory in the world's greatest endurance race.
