Braking to the point of locking the tyres slows you down slower than not locking them. The friction between carbon pads and carbon discs is higher than between rubber and tarmac, therefore you slow faster when the wheels are not locked. Also, when the wheel is locked up you have no steering control. Therefore it's not the fastest, not most controlled way to slow down into the corner and therefore it's not 'late braking mastery'. Those are just facts. He wins a lot of Grands Prix because the chassis is very well designed and has superb traction and because the Mercedes engine has developed a lot of grunt despite the engine freeze. Alonso won as many GP last year, without locking his wheels, and didn't suffer any unusual punctures or tyre failures.