Abstract: In an antilock braking system (ABS) operating on the recirculating principle with a static brake circuit and a tandem master cylinder as the brake booster, a control stage is provided in order to lessen the intensity of reaction shocks noticeable at the brake pedal when the antilock control commences. From the onset of a pressure reduction signal, the control stage generates, for at least one brake-pressure control valve of the ABS, an operating voltage for the drive motor of the recirculating pump unit which rises with increasing duration of this signal. After a predetermined rising time, the voltage can reach a maximum value, correlated with maximum speed of the motor, and then is held at this value at least until dying-out, or otherwise rises to that value which is reached within the pressure-reduction signal duration.