BRAKING IN DETAIL: What is the toughest corner at Phillip Island for braking?
Check out some incredible numbers provided by Brembo about the challenges of Phillip Island
With Brembo being a key partner to the majority of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship teams, supplying all but one of the outfits on the grid, they are able to provide some valuable insights. Ahead of the Australian Round at the iconic Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, they have provided some rather interesting stats and facts…
211 – The toughest corner at Phillip Island for the braking system is Turn 1, named after Mick Doohan, who made his mark in WorldSBK before becoming a 500cc legend. WorldSBK machines slow from 314 km/h to 198 km/h under braking that lasts 3 seconds, during which they cover 211 metres. By pulling the brake lever with a load of 3.5 kg, riders experience a deceleration of 1.5g, while brake pressure peaks at 7.4 bar.
16/21/1 – Alvaro Bautista (Barni Spark Racing Team) is the only WorldSBK Champion on the grid in 2026. The Spaniard ended Ducati’s title drought, which had lasted since 2011, when he won the Championship in both 2022 and 2023 aboard the Panigale V4 R, surpassing 600 points on each occasion. Overall, Ducati have claimed 16 Riders’ titles and 21 Manufacturers’ titles in WorldSBK, always and exclusively using Brembo brakes.
11-13-14 – Born in the world of racing, the thumb master cylinder is also an Upgrade product. Mounted on the left clip-on, the Brembo RMC thumb master cylinder delivers unprecedented precision, performance and control. The RMC thumb master cylinder is ideal in situations where the pedal cannot be operated due to extreme lean angles and is available with 11, 13 and 14 mm pistons.
2 – Bautista is the only rider equipped with Brembo brakes this year to rely exclusively on the traditional rear brake, operated by pedal. Eight riders in the 2026 Superbike World Championship also use an index-finger master cylinder, while 10 use a thumb-operated master cylinder. The latter was developed in the 1990s to help Doohan manage the rear brake, but today many riders use it as a sort of traction control: by activating it mid-corner, it helps stay close to the apex and straighten the bike more quickly.
1/5 – According to Brembo technicians, the 4.445 km-long Phillip Island Circuit falls into the category of circuits with low braking demands. On a scale from 1 to 5, it has been awarded a difficulty index of 1, the same as Assen. If races were always held on these two tracks, teams could use the same discs and pads for multiple rounds, as wear and operating temperatures remain limited. In Australia there are seven braking points per lap, but none of them falls into the High category.
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