Why Consistency Beats Chaos - Brake Pressure Variance

Written by Wes McDougall

Let’s face it: anyone can smash a brake pedal. It takes a Complete Race Driver to finesse it.

Building on our last post about Coast Factor and the dangers of indecision, today we’re talking about another sneaky lap time killer—Brake Pressure Variance. You might think your footwork is clean, but if the data says otherwise… we need to talk.

Take a look at this:

Figure 1. - Scatterplot of Brake Pressure Variance

At first, it may look like a mess of dots and colours. But take a moment, and you realise - this graph shows the difference between the good and bad of braking technique. This scatterplot shows Brake pressure variance per lap (Y-axis) against lap time (X-axis), broken down by driver in colour. The data has been 'gated' to include straight-line braking only. In other words, trailbraking is excluded. This means we are focusing on the pure deceleration of the car, and looking for efficient techniques. And once again, the trend is undeniable: drivers with less erratic braking are going faster.

And guess who’s leading the charge?

That cluster of blue dots on the bottom left—tight variance, quick lap times. That’s a driver who's mastered the art of smooth, controlled braking—even while heel-and-toeing.

Why Brake Variance Matters

In a braking zone, especially when you're downshifting and trail-braking, the pedal’s not just a switch—it’s your paintbrush. Slamming the pedal, then adjusting three times mid-corner? That’s like trying to create a work of art by throwing a bucket of paint onto a canvas.

The goal: apply brake pressure cleanly, consistently, and reduce the number of corrections needed while entering the corner.

Big pressure spikes = instability. Variance in brake pressure usually means:

  • Your heel-toe blips are throwing off your pedal consistency.
  • You’ve braking marker is not correct.
  • You don’t trust the grip.
  • You’re reacting instead of anticipating.

What is Brake Pressure Variance?

If you're brake pressure track looks like a jagged mountain range - you're doing it wrong. Less spikes and more consistent pressure is the key. 

Want a visual representation? Here is again some real life data from a corner between two drivers. 

Figure 2. - Brake Data

Can you guess who is the better, faster driver? The easy clue can be found from looking at the red Brake Pressure trace. This driver is all over the place with their footwork. The pressure is fluctuating wildly, and as a result, they don't slow the car down efficiently and effectiveness overshoot the turn. 

In stark contrast, have a look at the driver from the black pressure trace. Confident, assured and consistent. Efficient braking, allowing them to not only brake later into the corner, but accelerate earlier on the exit too.

The Data Tells the Story

Let’s take a closer look back at the cluster of dots again, specifically our dark blue driver. 

Their laps show:

  • Brake pressure variance mostly between 20-30 psi.
  • Laptimes consistently around the 132s–133s mark.
  • Minimal outliers, suggesting repeatable performance.

Contrast that with the scatter of orange, gold,  light blue and other colours climbing to 50+ psi of variance per lap—paired with lap times blowing out past 140s.

This isn’t a coincidence. It’s cause and effect.

How to Use This in Your Driving

  1. Record Your Brake Pressure Trace. If you’re not logging brake data, you’re in the dark.
  2. Look for Spikes. Is your pressure build-up smooth and then consistent? Or does it look like a hacksaw blade?
  3. Film Your Feet. Seriously. Combine video with data to see if your technique is introducing variance.
  4. Practice Brake Modulation. Especially during blipping. The goal is to keep consistent pressure on the pedal while executing clean downshifts.

The Difference Between Braking and Slowing Down

Braking is a skill. Anyone can slow down—but slowing down quickly, precisely, and in a way that keeps the car balanced and ready to rotate? That’s what separates a good driver from a fast one.

This chart doesn’t lie: calm feet equal quick laps.

If you want a more detailed breakdown of heel-and-toe braking technique - look no further than chapter 8.6 of The Complete Race Driver online course titled- Heel and Toe - What You Need To Know! Head to the website and be sure to sign up today if you haven't already!

Want to Get More From Your Data?

We’re not just coaches—we’re interpreters. If your data looks like modern art, we’ll turn it into a roadmap to improvement. 

The Complete Race Driver online course is the perfect way for you to get an detailed insight into being the best race driver you can be.

And if you want a tailored package of one-one-one driver coaching or data analysis of your driving - then we have experienced race driver coaches standing by to help you maximise your racing!

Hit us up at The Complete Race Driver if you want real insight, not guesswork.