So another journalist with little to no driving talent destroys a car and immediately tries to place blame on anything he can. Couldn't be his fault, he works for Car and Driver:jerkit:
Anyone who plans to do more than a few laps around a road course should plan on upgrading fluid and pads no matter what they are driving or how much it cost. Brake pads up to the task of heavy track duty are miserable on the street. They make noise, kill rotors, and don't perform when cold. An auto manufacturer couldn't sell a car with pads like that.
Back to the journalist, Pads don't just stop working, there are many warning signs. If he is unable to detect the brakes going away he needs to stay off the track and stick to reviewing minivans. And who's to say he wasn't over working the brakes in the first place? Poor driving is the number one cause of brake fade.