Brembo will make its debut as an official partner and Braking Technology Provider at the historic centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s most prestigious endurance race.

Advanced braking technologies mean Brembo has been able to tailor its braking systems to meet the requirements of each individual team, driver and vehicle. Sixty-two cars will compete across four different classes in the race, which will take place over the weekend of 10 and 11 June.

“We are delighted to be Braking Technology Provider for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in its centenary year. Brembo has been associated with motorsport for almost 50 years and this iconic competition has always been the world’s most keenly followed automobile event,”says Daniele Schillaci, Brembo’s CEO. “Hypercars, prototypes and GT vehicles...we shall be equipping most of the cars in the competition, which is a laboratory for us. The race allows us to test and perfect new designs and solutions that can then be introduced in road vehicles.”

The 24 Hours of Le Mans was first held in 1923 on the semi-permanent Sarthe circuit. It offers a severe test of a car’s brakes, especially coming into the two chicanes that break up the long Mulsanne Straight. This will be Brembo’s 35th consecutive year as a supplier of advanced brake systems for the competition.

Once again this year Brembo’s technicians focused on finding the most effective combination of lightness and rigidity to ensure maximum reliability. This has been achieved by designing friction components which, if used optimally, will last for the full duration of the competition without needing to be replaced. The incredibly low rate of wear and tear also means that braking performance is maintained throughout the race. In an endurance event, in which a vehicle encounters hugely variable conditions and drivers alternate, having a braking system that guarantees constant performance and a predictable response is a huge plus.

The friction components fitted to the Hypercar vehicles are made of carbon, a lightweight material that is good at dissipating heat. Brembo technicians have optimised the size and ventilation of the discs, which have a maximum thickness of 38mm and maximum diameter of 380mm, and are good for more than 6,000km. The discs are drilled with 432 ventilation holes and have a working temperature range of between 250°C and 850°C.

For the Le Mans Prototype (LMP2) class, the carbon discs have a maximum thickness of 32mm and a maximum diameter of 380mm, and again are effective for up to 6,000km. They are drilled with 48 ventilation holes and have a working temperature range of between 250°C and 850°C.

Finally, vehicles in the Le Mans Grand Touring Endurance class have cast-iron disc brakes with a maximum thickness of 35mm and maximum diameter of 390mm, and are good for up to 4,000km. Cast-iron discs are smooth, without ventilation holes, but may have as many as 72 fins or vanes; their working temperature range is between 250°C and 750°C.

Of the 62 vehicles taking part in the race, 44 will have at least one component of their braking system provided by Brembo, such as discs, calipers or pads.

Brembo will also be present in the Fan Village, enabling motorsport enthusiasts to connect with the brand.