In Monaco up to as much as 231 lbs of foot power needed.

According to Brembo, drivers have to apply as much as 105 kilograms of pressure to the brake pedal - quite a physical strain over 78 race laps.

I didn't know that.

 

I wonder what sort of modulation is available to them. At those pressures it would seem difficult to vary the application especially at three or four g's. Anyone have any experience - actually driven an F1 car with these brakes?

 

I believe the inadequate cooling of the brakes was the reason, but that does sound like a lot of force.

 

This sounds reasonable, the commentators were saying how the brakes don't get a chance to cool at Monaco because of the constant braking. This would make them much less effective after only just a few laps.

 

Which make Scotts drive with the brake pedal "going to the floor" all the more impressive

 

Probably easier than it sounds since as you brake, g-forces increase on your body (including your legs and feet) so it will help push on the pedal. It's probably harder for you to push that much when the car is at a stand still.

 

I would think it would be harder, but then again I've never driven an F1 car.

 

Actually, this does not sound like such a big deal.
If you were a 231 lb person, your foot would press down with this much force for for every step you took while walking.

 

Remember though these guys are pretty much laying down. Also taking a step means gravity is pulling your leg down all you have to do is drop it. You lay on your back and push a crate that weights more than most full grown human males and do it every 4 seconds for 90 minutes. <<< That would be more accurate than just "walking around".

 

Since they're laying down, they don't have to physically push on the brake pedal much the more the car brakes. All they really have to do it get the braking started and as the g's pick up on their body, it will push the pedal down even more, etc. The hardest part would be lifting up off the brake when you're at peak load (5 gs).

 

So you think when they stomp on the brakes they slid down into the footwell? With that logic they would be sliding under their belts and steering wheel. Also have you ever been in a very fast race car and gone around a turn with some slack in your belts? It makes it impossible for you to drive quickly because you are sliding and twisting in your seat. The steering wheel is then used as a device to hold you still. Not exactly a formula for going fast.

 

As a matter of interest alot of research has been done for military purposes (fighter pilots) in terms of which is easier to modulate, pressure or travel. It was found that fighter pilots far prefered using pressure for modulation than travel. as a result many of the latest military applications have gone this way. the same can be said in motorsport. A race car for example has a very firm pedal with very little travel, this gives one the feeling of applying more pressure to slow the car, im comparision the accelerator pedal is all about travel to modulate.

Just imagine a brake pedal with no pressure resistance and only travel modulation??? how weird would that be???

Also a matter of interest is how different F1 drivers set their accelerator pedals up... some with alot of travel (BARICHELLO) and others with very little travel (SCHUMACHER)