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Why are the rear brakes of the 2026 F1 cars too cold?

Q: Why are the 2026 rear brakes cold?

Because the electric motor brakes more and the discs work less. The MGU-K goes from 120 to 350 kW and brakes much more, so the rear discs work less and do not warm up.

Q: What does a carbon disc need to give consistent grip?

To be hot. Carbon works best at high temperatures; cold, its behaviour is less consistent.

Q: What does the electric motor do when braking?

Stores the energy in the battery. It is regenerative braking: the energy goes to the battery instead of being lost as heat.

The electric motor now brakes much more, so the rear discs work less and do not warm up. Why a cold carbon disc grips worse.

In 30 seconds

An F1 car brakes in two ways: with carbon discs, which turn energy into heat, and with the electric motor, which stores it in the battery.
In 2026 the electric motor goes from 120 to 350 kW and brakes much more, so the rear discs work less and cool down.
A carbon disc needs heat to give consistent grip.

Disc and figures: The Race. No specific temperature is quoted.

1
Two ways to brake
Carbon discs turn braking energy into heat, and the electric motor recovers it and stores it in the battery.
2
The electric motor takes the stage
When braking with the electric motor, part of the energy goes to the battery instead of being lost as heat.
3
In 2026 it goes from 120 to 350 kW
The electric motor (MGU-K) gains a lot of power and therefore brakes much more.
4
The rear discs cool down
Since the discs brake less, the rear ones work little and do not reach temperature.
5
Carbon needs heat
A cold carbon disc can give grip that varies, and you notice it when driving.
6
Each team chose differently
Some teams fitted small rear discs and others large ones. Brembo recommended waiting three or four races before making big changes.

See it in the data

Where to see it on Formuradar

Braking telemetry in each race →

Test yourself

Did you get it?

Question 1 of 3Why are the 2026 rear brakes cold?

Question 2 of 3What does a carbon disc need to give consistent grip?

Question 3 of 3What does the electric motor do when braking?

Glossary for this page

Regenerative braking: Braking with the electric motor, which turns braking energy into electricity for the battery, instead of losing it as heat in the discs.
MGU-K: An electric motor-generator linked to the crankshaft: it recovers energy under braking and returns it as extra power. In 2026 it goes from 120 to 350 kW.

See the full glossary →

Sources

The MGU-K's recovery capacity rises from 120 to 350 kW, so teams and drivers rely much more on regenerative braking. The Race · Another unforeseen headache set to be a theme of F1 2026
With so much regenerative braking the rear discs work less and the problem goes from "too hot" to "too cold"; carbon works best at high temperatures and, cold, its behaviour is less consistent. The Race · Another unforeseen headache set to be a theme of F1 2026
Some teams fitted small rear discs and others large ones; Brembo recommended waiting three or four races before big changes. The Race · Another unforeseen headache set to be a theme of F1 2026
The MGU-K goes from 120 to 350 kW in the 2026 power unit. Formula1.com · 2026 regulations explained: all you need to know about F1's new power units

Sources checked on 18 October 2026. Valid for: 2026 season. The explanations are popular-level: for the exact rules, check the FIA sporting regulations.