REVEALED: One of the Rear Brake Pads on Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Was 68% More Worn Than the Others — Experts Call It “Deeply Irregular”
Unbalanced braking at 200+ km/h could’ve caused a spin no human could control.
REVEALED: Diogo Jota’s Lamborghini Had One Rear Brake Pad 68% More Worn — Experts Warn of Uncontrollable Spin at High Speed
The investigation into the tragic car crash that killed Liverpool FC star Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva on July 3, 2025, near Zamora, Spain, has uncovered a critical new detail: one of the rear brake pads on their Lamborghini Huracán was 68% more worn than the others, a condition experts describe as “deeply irregular.” This finding, reported exclusively by El Confidencial, suggests that unbalanced braking at speeds exceeding 200 km/h (124 mph) could have caused a spin no driver, not even a skilled one like Jota, could have controlled. Combined with earlier revelations—dashcam footage showing a spark under the car, a 31° skid mark angle, and a miraculously unburned bracelet—this discovery deepens the mystery surrounding the crash and intensifies scrutiny on the vehicle’s condition. This article explores the brake pad irregularity, its potential role in the tragedy, and the broader implications for the ongoing investigation.
The Brake Pad Discovery: A “Deeply Irregular” Finding
Forensic analysis of the charred wreckage of the Lamborghini Huracán, conducted by Spain’s Civil Guard and independent automotive experts, revealed that one of the rear brake pads—specifically on the left rear wheel—was 68% more worn than the other three, which showed uniform wear consistent with a high-performance vehicle. According to El Confidencial, this discrepancy, measured through remaining pad thickness, is highly unusual for a supercar like the Huracán, which is engineered for balanced braking to maintain stability at extreme speeds. The uneven wear was detected during a detailed examination of the vehicle’s remnants, prompted by earlier findings of a spark under the car and a rare 31° skid mark angle, both suggesting mechanical issues beyond the initially reported tire blowout.
Dr. Elena Vargas, an automotive engineering expert consulted by El Confidencial, called the finding “deeply irregular,” noting that uneven brake pad wear could destabilize a vehicle during high-speed braking. “At speeds above 200 km/h, even a slight imbalance in braking force can cause a yaw moment, where the car rotates uncontrollably around its vertical axis,” she explained. “This could manifest as a spin no human could correct, especially if compounded by a tire blowout or other failure.” The 31° skid mark angle, previously identified as a “signature curve” linked to mechanical steering lock, aligns with this scenario, suggesting that the brake imbalance may have contributed to the car’s abrupt deviation before it veered off the A-52 highway and burst into flames.
The Crash: A Cascade of Failures?
The accident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 3, 2025, as Jota, 28, and André, 25, were traveling from Porto, Portugal, to Santander, Spain, to catch a ferry to the UK. Jota, advised against flying due to a recent lung procedure following a rib injury, was reportedly driving the £180,000 Lamborghini Huracán, which police believe was traveling well above the 120 km/h (75 mph) speed limit. The initial police report cited a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver as the primary cause, with the car rolling and igniting, killing both brothers at the scene.
Subsequent evidence has complicated this narrative. Dashcam footage from a passing van, reported by El País, captured a spark under the car during its final turn, suggesting the fire may have started before the crash. The 31° skid mark angle, observed in only 3% of high-speed accidents, pointed to a possible mechanical steering lock. Now, the brake pad irregularity introduces another potential factor: unbalanced braking force. Experts hypothesize that when Jota applied the brakes—possibly in response to the spark or tire blowout—the uneven pad wear caused asymmetric braking, sending the car into a spin. This could explain the sharp 31° skid marks and the car’s trajectory off the highway, as well as the rapid onset of the fire, which left a handmade bracelet from Jota’s son miraculously unburned.
Implications for the Investigation
The brake pad discovery has significant implications for the ongoing judicial investigation in Zamora. The Spanish Civil Guard, led by traffic division head Alfonso Ibáñez, is compiling a final report that integrates skid mark analysis, dashcam evidence, and forensic examination of the wreckage. The uneven brake pad wear raises questions about the Lamborghini’s maintenance history and whether a pre-existing defect went unnoticed. According to Carscoops.com, the Huracán model has faced recalls for issues like headlight misalignments and seat belt warning malfunctions, though none directly relate to brake systems. However, the finding of a 68% wear differential suggests either improper maintenance or a manufacturing flaw, both of which are now under scrutiny.
The investigation is also exploring whether the spark seen in the dashcam footage, reported by El País, was related to the brake issue. A failing brake system could have caused overheating or metal-on-metal contact, potentially sparking and igniting fuel or oil. This aligns with firefighters’ accounts of the fire’s intensity, which destroyed the vehicle but left the bracelet on Jota’s wrist unscorched, described as “like it refused to burn.” The interplay of these factors—brake imbalance, spark, tire blowout, and possible steering lock—suggests a cascade of mechanical failures that overwhelmed Jota’s ability to control the car.
The Family’s Grief and Search for Answers
The brake pad revelation has deepened the pain for Jota’s family, who are grappling with the loss of two sons and a husband. Rute Cardoso, Jota’s wife of 11 days, collapsed while identifying his body, clutching his wedding band and the unburned bracelet made by their son. Isabel Silva, Jota’s mother, requested a second autopsy, citing a dream Diogo shared that “didn’t feel like goodbye,” a plea now under review as new evidence emerges. The family’s quest for answers is fueled by these anomalies, with the brake pad irregularity adding weight to suspicions that the crash involved more than just speed or a tire failure.
The football community continues to rally around the family. Liverpool FC, where Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, has pledged to pay out his contract to support Rute and their three children. Tributes at Anfield, including flowers, scarves, and a PlayStation controller honoring Jota’s love of gaming, reflect his enduring legacy. The funeral in Gondomar, Portugal, on July 5, drew teammates like Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo, who called the loss “senseless.”
Broader Safety Concerns
The brake pad irregularity has sparked broader concerns about the safety of high-performance vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracán. IBTimes UK previously noted recalls for issues like pyrotechnic door systems, which could affect crash survivability, though no brake-related recalls have been reported. The uneven wear, if linked to a manufacturing or maintenance oversight, could prompt calls for stricter regulations on supercar maintenance and pre-sale inspections. Experts like Vargas argue that the incident highlights the risks of driving such vehicles at high speeds, especially on roads like the A-52, which, despite police denials, has been described as “notoriously treacherous” due to potholes and high-speed bends.
A Legacy and a Lingering Mystery
The discovery of the 68% more worn brake pad adds a critical piece to the puzzle of Jota and André’s deaths. As the Civil Guard finalizes its report, the focus is on whether this irregularity, combined with the spark and steering issues, caused an uncontrollable spin at high speed. For Rute, holding her son’s bracelet, and Isabel, haunted by Diogo’s dream, these findings underscore a tragedy that defies simple explanation. Jota’s legacy as a footballer and father endures, but the “deeply irregular” brake pad wear ensures that questions about his final moments will persist, driving the search for truth in a case that has gripped the world.
