Brembo responds to IndyCar brake caliper overheating
Brake manufacturer Brembo issued a technical bulletin on Saturday in response to the large volume of overheating issues faced by Verizon IndyCar Series drivers while using new carbon fiber brake discs and pads from Performance Friction Corporation and Brembo's existing brake calipers.
RACER's story from Thursday which detailed the cause and effects of the overheating
. Asked about the use of the word "alleged" in its release, a Brembo representative said it was due to the brand's lack of involvement in testing, and being excluded from the ensuing data sharing with IndyCar."For the year 2017, Brembo has not been asked to attend, contribute or participate in Indycar Series brake development (rotors, pads and bells), as Indycar, PFC and the Competitors have elected to assume such responsibility," Brembo said.
"We have no way of establishing whether there are any issues with Brembo calipers being used by IndyCar competitors as the most recent, and only, brake test Brembo attended was in Road America in the summer of 2016. From that test there was no evidence of issues with the use of Brembo calipers with PFC brake components."
IndyCar's offseason move to replace Brembo as the official brake supplier with PFC was set in motion with a two-stage plan; for 2017, Brembo's brake calipers would remain while its friction material – its carbon fiber brake discs and pads – would be replaced by PFC units. In 2018, Brembo's caliper will be phased out for new PFC calipers, bringing an end to Brembo's association with IndyCar.
As teams reported during preseason testing began with the blended Brembo/PFC brake package, excessive heat generated by PFC's friction material caused overheating with Brembo's calipers. The worst incidents of overheating have been shared by teams using Honda engines and aero kits, but some Chevy entries have also reported heat-related issues.
IndyCar, which was provided with braking data from Honda teams to demonstrate the need for additional cooling, received a formal request from the manufacturer leading into this weekend's race to permit modifications to its brake ducts to introduce more air to the blended brake package.
Compelled by the supporting information included in the request, IndyCar granted the cooling changes on Thursday, which would suggest the series agreed with the data it received.
"Brembo would like to remind you that our calipers are specified products that have been supplied to the Series since 2011, and in accordance to the Rules and our Agreement with IndyCar, have not been modified nor has further development been undertaken. Brembo has supplied each competitor with a Technical Bulletin covering all performance and safety topics of our product. Brembo also issued a Technical Bulletin for the IndyCar Series where maximum running temperature of 210°C was specified, in conformity with the signed Supply Contract with IndyCar.
"We recommend that each competitor operate Brembo calipers within the defined specifications. Reliability is not guaranteed outside these specifications and the magnitude of the deviation may result in extremely dangerous conditions."
Brembo went on to state it "is able to produce calipers capable of withstanding the highest temperatures achieved in motorsport applications, if given clear specifications and operating conditions in which its product will be used.
"Brembo is always concerned about the proper operation of a brake system in any series in which its components may be used. In fact, although Brembo was not consulted in connection with the new brake components being used with its calipers, Brembo requested data and feedback after the Elkhart Lake test in order to analyze the results with clear reference to the Brembo Testing Specifications. Unfortunately, it never received a response.
"We further would like to note, the Sebring track is more difficult on brakes as compared to Road America. This is common knowledge to any brake expert, as well as any racing expert or fan. However, as Brembo was not asked or able to participate in any phase of development of the new braking system (in spite of a declared willingness to do so), we are not able to provide any feedback or suggestions on the use of other our components in IndyCar's and its competitors' application."
The company also absolved itself of any responsibility should brake-related problems occur.
"As a result, it is impossible for Brembo to contribute to the good running of the sport, and to exercise any kind of responsibility for any incidents that may occur as a result of the new braking system and its related parts," it said.
Brembo closed by making what could be interpreted as threats to the series, its entrants and its reporters for disagreeing with its statements in the release.
"We would also caution IndyCar and its competitors, as well as the media, from making any statements which are inconsistent with the content of this Technical Bulletin," it wrote. "We will consider inconsistent statements as detrimental to our image, and will take appropriate action against such allegations."
IndyCar declined to comment when asked for a reaction to Brembo's final statement.
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