What is Trail Braking?
An advanced technique of gradually easing off the brakes while turning into a corner, blending braking and cornering for more speed and control.
Trail braking is a cornering technique in which the driver continues to brake while beginning to turn in, then gradually releases or trails off the brake pressure as steering angle increases. Rather than finishing all braking in a straight line, braking overlaps with the entry phase of the corner.
Keeping some braking force into the turn shifts weight onto the front tyres, increasing front grip and helping the car rotate toward the apex. Done well, this allows a later, harder braking point and a more responsive turn-in, which can be faster than braking entirely in a straight line.
Trail braking is a high-skill technique because the combined braking and cornering loads bring the tyres close to their limit, so it must be smooth and progressive. Overdoing it can overload the front tyres or unsettle the rear, but mastered properly it is a key tool for fast, precise cornering.