A friction brake system comprises a first gear unit having a first member and a second member, the first gear unit is configured for converting a rotary motion of the first member into a braking motion of the second member, the first member is configured such that the rotary motion may be driven by an electric motor, the brake system further comprises a second gear unit having a spindle and nut for converting a rotary motion into a linear motion for pad wear compensation, the spindle is connectable to a brake pad, the second member of the first gear unit and the nut of the second gear unit are or may be mechanically coupled such that, during the braking motion, the second member of the first gear unit pushes against the nut of the second gear unit to press the brake pad against a friction surface.