Red Bull Installs New Brake Discs for Grand Prix
The team updated the RB22 with custom discs during Friday's build-up at the Circuit of the Americas.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Motorsports
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Formula 1 fans attending the United States Grand Prix this weekend at the Circuit of the Americas will see a modified RB22 on the track, as Red Bull mechanics installed new Brembo brake discs during Friday's build-up. The team went to great lengths to keep the new, non-solid surface design hidden from cameras in the pit lane.
Why it matters
Red Bull is using this weekend to trial specific technical solutions, tailoring the RB22 braking performance to match Max Verstappen's aggressive style. These tests are key to the team's ongoing development ahead of the 2027 technical regulations.
Red Bull installed the new Brembo brake discs on the RB22, marking the team's sole major technical update this weekend. The non-solid surface pattern is intended to optimize braking for four-time champion Max Verstappen.
The players
Red Bull
This Formula 1 racing team is currently testing new braking components at the Circuit of the Americas.
Max Verstappen
The four-time Formula 1 champion is the driver whose braking style influenced the design of the new disc pattern.
Circuit of the Americas
This facility is the host site for the United States Grand Prix and the location where Red Bull is testing its latest vehicle upgrades.
The details
The new brake discs feature a unique, non-uniform surface pattern designed to provide a wider operating window for performance consistency. Red Bull mechanics utilized screens in the pit lane to obscure the installation process from photographers. The team is currently evaluating these components to inform their future design path for the 2027 regulations and the ongoing development of the RB23.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: The team performed the installation during Friday build-up.
October 25, 2026: The United States Grand Prix weekend continues at the Circuit of the Americas.
The Texas Context
Red Bull is using the high-stakes environment of the United States Grand Prix to trial hardware modifications for the 2027 Formula 1 technical regulations. This testing follows a pattern of teams using late-season races to accelerate development cycles for future rule changes.
Fans heading to the Circuit of the Americas for the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend may notice the team keeping the car closely guarded in the pits. Trackside observers will be watching to see if the new brake design translates into a competitive advantage for Verstappen during the race.
The takeaway
The brake update underscores how the Circuit of the Americas serves as a critical testing ground for championship-level development. Keep an eye on the car's performance through the heavy braking zones this weekend to see if the custom pattern delivers the expected consistency.
Further reading
You can find more coverage of this weekend's racing activity in our motorsports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by RacingNews365.
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