For the fifth consecutive season since the withdrawal of Nissin, Brembo is supplying braking components to the 22 riders entered in the MotoGP category. The Bergamo company is offering a new caliper for this category in 2020, the Brembo GP4, which is a radially mounted aluminum monobloc caliper with a four-piston design.
The Brembo GP4 was tested in Valencia last year and at Sepang this year. It logically appeared in the race at Jerez, during the first round of the 2020 season. The important change concerns the fins on the body of the caliper which keep the brake fluid cool. One reason for this is that the amount of fluid in the system is lower so the rider has a more direct feel.
To match the new GP4 caliper, Brembo offers riders a choice of eight carbon fiber discs. There are four disc diameters, ranging from 320 to 340 mm. Of these four choices, each disc is available in standard and high mass alloy. Beyond that, there are two different carbon compounds for brake pads. All of these choices allow the rider to customize the brake response according to their preferences and needs.
A Brembo spokesperson highlighted the benefits of carbon fiber for brake rotors, saying: “Carbon ensures a triple advantage: a reduction in unsprung mass, an identical coefficient of friction from the start of the race to crossing the finish line and an absence of residual torque problems which can arise with the use of steel discs. »
Maverick Vinales, who had brake problems during the last Styrian GP, did not use these calipers, contrary to Brembo's recommendations. He had no problems during testing, so he started the race with this setup, although fellow Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Franco Morbidelli also switched from the standard 2019 caliper to 2020 for their second weekend on the Austrian track. Brembo believes there are two main reasons for these brake concerns this year: better aerodynamics and the 2020 Michelin rear tire.
Although Brembo does not equip all Moto2 and Moto3 decks, the brand is strongly represented in these categories. Ninety percent of Moto2 and Moto3 teams use Brembo calipers and master cylinders, 75% use Brembo pads and about half use Brembo steel discs.
