Engine Braking

Engine braking is a driving technique where a race car driver uses the natural resistance of the engine itself to help slow down the vehicle, rather than relying only on the brake pedal and brake pads.

When you're driving and take your foot off the accelerator, you might notice the car slows down a bit on its own—that's engine braking at work. In motorsport, drivers use this effect much more deliberately and aggressively than in everyday driving. The engine stays connected to the wheels through the transmission, and when the throttle closes, the pistons inside the engine create resistance as they move up and down. This resistance acts like a brake, slowing the car naturally.

Race drivers amplify engine braking by downshifting to lower gears as they approach corners. When you shift to a lower gear, the engine spins faster (higher RPM) for the same wheel speed, which creates much stronger resistance and slows the car more effectively. This is why you'll hear race cars rapidly downshifting as they brake for tight corners.

One major benefit of engine braking in racing is that it reduces wear on the brake pads and discs. While modern race cars have incredibly powerful brakes, they generate enormous heat during a race. By using engine braking to assist with slowing down, drivers can preserve their brakes and reduce the risk of brake fade or failure during long races.

Engine braking also helps drivers control the car's balance, especially when entering corners. In rear-wheel-drive race cars, engine braking affects the rear wheels, which can help rotate the car and point it into the corner more quickly. Skilled drivers adjust exactly when and how aggressively they downshift to fine-tune how the car behaves, reducing understeer or controlling oversteer depending on what the corner requires.

However, engine braking isn't without challenges. If a driver downshifts too aggressively or at too high a speed, the sudden burst of engine braking can unsettle the car's balance or even lock up the driven wheels, causing a spin. This is particularly risky in wet conditions or on slippery surfaces. The braking force from the engine also varies depending on RPM, making it less consistent than traditional friction brakes.

In modern racing with fuel-injected engines, there's an additional advantage: most engine management systems cut off fuel delivery completely during engine braking, which saves fuel. In endurance racing where fuel strategy matters, this can make a real difference over a long stint.

Professional drivers practice for years to master engine braking as part of their overall braking technique. Watch any onboard camera from a Formula 1 or sports car race, and you'll see drivers blending traditional braking with perfectly timed downshifts to maximize deceleration while keeping the car balanced and under control through every corner.