TECH WEEKLY: The development that has reappeared after a 25-year absence – but what benefit does it bring?


In a little-observed development back at Monza in September, we saw the first reappearance of the brake disc groove after a quarter-century absence. This was on the Carbone Industrie brake discs supplied to the Williams team.
Since then, Alpine has also raced them, running them for the first time in Mexico. Carbone Industrie supplies six of the 10 teams with discs so we may be seeing the feature appear on other cars subsequently.
But what is the significance of the four grooves, cut diagonally into the carbon fibre discs?
Next Up
Related Articles
BettingOur final Japanese Grand Prix betting predictions
Youngest F1 points leader Antonelli reflects on Japan win
Verstappen admits Red Bull are in the ‘midfield battle’
Watch Qualifying from Round 2 of the F1 Sim Racing World Championship
All the key moments from the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix
Leclerc laments Safety Car timing after P3 finish in Japan
