The pivotal moment came when a shipment of British brake discs bound for Alfa Romeo overturned just outside Bergamo. Rather than simply repair the damaged parts, Brembo’s founders, Emilio Bombassei and Italo Breda, proposed manufacturing new ones from scratch. This bold decision marked their first major leap into brake production.

Alfa Romeo approved, trusting the local supplier to deliver quality replacements. That decision not only saved a shipment but shifted the company's entire future. Brembo moved from generic automotive parts into the highly specialized world of braking systems. This wasn’t just a business opportunity. It was a revelation. Their expertise in metalworking and engineering allowed them to quickly gain Alfa Romeo’s confidence, and that of the rest of Italy’s performance automotive world.

Brembo's turning point into motorsport dominance came in 1975, when Ferrari selected them as the official brake supplier for its Formula 1 team. That same season, Niki Lauda took five wins and clinched both the Drivers and Constructors Championships with the Ferrari 312T, equipped with Brembo brakes.

That success cemented Brembo's place at the elite level of motorsport. In the decades since, Brembo has contributed to over 700 championship wins across different racing disciplines. Today, every F1 team either uses Brembo brakes directly or sources them through its subsidiary, AP Racing.

Even with this global influence, Brembo retains its original spirit. Mario Almondo, the company’s COO, stresses that the culture of constant improvement remains central to Brembo’s identity. From a small town in Italy to the pinnacle of motorsport, the company’s journey proves that excellence isn’t born from perfect conditions; it’s forged through determination, timing, and bold decisions.