Akebonos not up to heavy track use!

AP - Chris_B

AP Racing supplies more F1 teams than anyone else. SGL/Hitco and Carbone Industries supply the carbon-carbon discs and pads, but AP Racing or Brembo supply special calipers and engineering support to all but one team based on the latest information that I have.

Akebono bought the Williams deal, much to the disappointment of the team's engineering staff. AP Racing had been the supplier, but they do not sponsor anybody in any series (which is interesting, since they supply the dominating calipers -- the RadiCal line -- in NASCAR these days, a series that is all about sponsorship!). If you remember the financial hot water that Williams got themselves into in 2007 ($100M worth), you can easily understand the changes they needed to make in order to stay afloat.

All that said, Akebono's F1 calipers have absolutely nothing to do with the design and manufacturing efforts for their OE programs. In this particular case, the G/Z Sport calipers are for primarily for looks.

Chris