F1 | Rumours about PCM materials are baseless, says Brembo engineer. At the Spanish GP, the Italian media spoke with Andrea Dellavedova.

At the Spanish GP, the Italian media spoke with Andrea Dellavedova, Brembo track engineer, who offered insights into the topic of PCM materials.

The Formula 1 paddock is always buzzing with speculation and in search of the secrets behind rival teams’ performance. Amid innovations under the surface and aerodynamic tweaks, many developments go unnoticed at first glance due to their apparent “simplicity.” Among the latest rumours was the alleged use of PCM materials, which we explored with Brembo engineer Andrea Dellavedova.

The 2025 Formula 1 season has been marked by the near-total dominance of the McLaren MCL39, a car that surprised everyone at its debut thanks to extreme solutions and an aggressive design across numerous components — most notably, its suspension layout featuring pronounced anti-dive and anti-squat geometries. Over time, attention shifted to the brake ducts, characterised by highly intricate fluid dynamics management.

This brake system soon became the focal point for many paddock insiders and journalists. From that moment, various theories began to spread — including the one about PCM materials. However, McLaren’s true secret seems to lie in another area, which we revealed exclusively.

Brembo, the main supplier of braking components to Formula 1 teams, answered our questions during the Spanish GP. Interviewed by F1inGenerale, Andrea Dellavedova clarified one of the hottest topics in the F1 paddock.

“It’s difficult. At the moment, we’re not studying anything in that direction,” said the Brembo engineer when asked about the alleged PCM materials. “That’s because we have to ensure a certain structural rigidity. What we’re focusing on instead is geometry and cooling, meaning fluid dynamics, of course in collaboration with the team.”

“The work is always done hand in hand, combining our research with that of the teams to meet the needs of each squad. There has to be excellent coordination between both parties, because all the air intake design is done by the teams, and everything must properly supply air to our brake discs.”