According to Brembo technicians, who work closely with all riders in the MotoGP world championship, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is one of the most demanding circuits in terms of braking. On a difficulty index scale of 1 to 5, it scored a 5, tied with the Red Bull Ring.
Compared to the traditional date of mid-June, the asphalt and air temperature should be lower, making it easier to cool the brakes. The braking system is put under massive strain at the first corner due to the 1,047 meter straight leading into it. Besides that, almost all the other braking points are very close together and very brutal.
Using the brakes during the MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix
During each lap of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, drivers use their brakes 6 times in right turns and 3 times in left turns, for a total of 29 seconds, or 30% of the total race time. On the other hand, the brakes of Formula 1 single-seaters are used for less than 15 seconds per lap (16% of racing time).
MotoGP riders exert a load of more than 34 kg on the brake lever every lap. From start to checkered flag, this goes up to more than 820 kg, the lowest of the four Spanish circuits of the world championship.
The most demanding braking section of the Catalan race
Of the nine braking sections at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, three are classified as demanding on the brakes, four are of medium difficulty and the other two are light.
The hardest part for MotoGP is in the first corner: The bikes go from over 330 km/h to 100 km/h in just under 5 seconds (4,9, to be precise). To do this, riders apply a load of 5,4 kg to the brake lever and experience a deceleration of 1,5 g, with the brake fluid pressure reaching 11,6 bar.
The advantages of Marchesini wheels
Seven of the eleven MotoGP teams use forged magnesium wheels supplied by Marchesini, a Brembo group company, since March 2000: there is a 5-spoke Y version and a 7-spoke one for the front, with 7 spokes for the back. They are all made by 3D multi-forging in a closed mold and heat treatment.
The main characteristics are maximum rigidity and minimum inertia. The weight saving provided by the Marchesini wheels (which, together with the tires, constitute the largest unsprung rotating weight) favors the motorcycle's acceleration and handling when changing direction, and improves brake response.
