This is a sensitive subject and it could have been dramatic if, once again, the Styrian gods had not intervened, thus avoiding any bodily harm. When Maverick Viñales jumps from his Yamaha going at more than 230 km/h before entering a corner because he no longer has brakes, he turns his motorcycle into a lethal weapon. The problem was not new and had been going on for a few laps already. However, the pilot insisted, ignoring the safety of his colleagues. The Yamahas were technically suffering from their braking system since the start of the meeting. But basing yourself on this to question the supplier Brembo in this area is going a bit too quickly...
As the days pass, from this desperate rescue to which a motorcycle Yamaha without brakes forced Maverick Vinales, the facts are becoming clearer. The shortcut combining this imposed acrobatic figure with the recurring brake problems observed on all Yamaha when Grand Prix of Styria is not the right route to fully understand the situation. A road that led straight to Brembo, further from being singled out.
Yamaha driver, Valentino Rossi thus makes the first correction: “ I had some problems last weekend, but I worked hard with Brembo to resolve them and they disappeared. It's a very harsh track for the braking systems and everyone suffers. In fact all motorcycles have air intakes to cool them. Yamaha suffers even more, because you have to force the braking to recover what you lose in the straight and the tension on the systems is very great ».
“There are no brake problems if you use the best equipment”
Each rider can choose from a variety of calipers and discs those that best suit his characteristics and the motorcycle. The Red Bull Ring, however, is not a circuit like any other: the discs often exceed 800°. For this reason, Brembo technicians had advised all drivers to mount the new caliper introduced this year which guarantees better heat dissipation. Everyone listened to them, but Casa Particular in Viñales didn't do it.
It is therefore around the driver, who continued his race despite the danger he posed for others, and his box, that we must look for responsibility. And not Brembo, thatAndrea Dovizioso clears as follows: “ at Ducati they have always been very good in this area, we seem to have contributed to the development of brakes because for my riding style I rely a lot on braking » explains Dovi.
« I have always had the best equipment and never had any problems. Every motorcycle has different braking needs and other manufacturers may not have been adequately prepared and had bigger problems. For example, Honda often used smaller discs because they didn't need the larger ones and anything that isn't needed isn't used. However, there is room for improvement ". And he ends: “ brake problems? There are none if you use the best hardware ».
