Yes, I would agree that Aintree is a challenge in the 55's, but I still apply the same philosophy...
"where do the brakes give me the biggest benefit? and where can I d/shift and coast?"
Without going into a long winded lap lecture again
For me T1 Waterway is a minimal brakes use and only if really needed, other wise d/shift and drift. Carrying the speed to Anchor Crossing where I use up all the retardation I have at my disposal gears+brakes+sideways+anything else I can think of!!
Which means that Cottage is approached without any brakes and so is Country...just d/shift early and coast through the corners because they are slow corners anyway and if you keep it smooth and tidy you won't lose much time. Might have a little brake available for Village, but that is a sweeper and the cars will drift nicely through there. Hopefully brakes have recovered a little more by Bechers so that I can get exactly the line I want to give me max velocity onto the Railway Straight.
Should have recovered some green brakes to set the car up for Melling Crossing and the Esses, with enough left to slow up for Tatt's Corner. Brakes can then recover again before Anchor Crossing on the next lap.
It is all about deciding where you can use the brakes and where they can be allowed to recover. If you try to max out the braking at each corner they will never recover and you will always be in the red zone. Do a few laps and make a real effort to recall when you have your foot on that brake pedal, then try a lap without touching the brakes, using only the gears........you might be surprised.
I can't remember the names of all the corners but that sounds about right.
Aintree Lap
T1 No brakes, just shift down 2 gears.
T2 Three downshifts and a good stab on the brakes but not for too long.
T3 Usually have enough brakes left to change down to 2nd and a bit of brake.
T4 If I run out of brakes anywhere, this will be it. I have two ways of doing it depending on what state the brakeometer said on the exit of T3. In the race it will probably be an early first downshift and a hopeful stab at the brakes at the second and then chuck it sideways.
T5 No brakes, just downshift two but after smacking it into 1st I immediately change back up to 2nd.
T6 Down two gears and a wee stab of the brakes to get it set up for the long corner.
T7-T8 Down two gears and a stab of brakes
T9-T10 Stay in 3rd
T11 (Tatts) Down two gears, stab of brakes and then change back up to 2nd.
Also, the approach to a qually lap, for me, is totally different and kills the brakes completely over one or two laps.