The FIA's contentious new KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) technology may not be seen on all F1 cars in 2009 - in fact it may not be seen on many of them at all...
It has been reported that as many as seven Formula 1 teams could begin and even complete the 2009 campaign without the new KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems) technology.
According to German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, only McLaren-Mercedes and BMW-Sauber are on-track in their development of the complex new energy-saving device, whilst other teams - defending constructors' world champions Ferrari chief amongst them - have encountered significant difficulties, with the Scuderia's President Luca di Montezemolo having branded KERS 'a mistake' whose costs are 'very high' [see separate story - click here].
Indeed, so great have been Ferrari's problems in its KERS collaboration with electronics partner Magneti-Marelli, it has been claimed, that the Maranello-based outfit is now working on its own system, possibly in conjunction with Peugeot's sportscar project.
"At the end of February, we must determine whether to proceed with or without KERS," admitted Ferrari engine and electronics director Gilles Simon.
Renault and Toyota are also said to be running behind in their KERS projects, with Toyota having confessed that it is unlikely to begin the season with the technology and Renault also supplying the device to customer outfit Red Bull Racing, and Ferrari doing likewise for Scuderia Toro Rosso. Williams, too, uniquely making use of a flywheel for the storage of energy, is understood to be behind schedule.
The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) tried and failed to get KERS' debut delayed for a year, and with F1's new in-season testing ban, introducing it after Melbourne will be no easy task. It is hoped that a standard solution will be found for 2010.
In his letter to FOTA chairman Luca di Montezemolo this week, meanwhile, Max Mosley revealed that he is unhappy with the current trend towards battery-operated KERS systems.
"We are increasingly of the view that the use of chemical storage should be prohibited in Formula 1," the FIA President said, "owing to the unsuitability of the batteries currently available."
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If Ferarri dont get it right then Ferarri international assistance (F.I.A) will ban it on safety grounds, Ferarri gets what Ferarri wants ! Gazza Manchester
ournige: They are a figment of F1's imagination, so there is therefore nothing to ignore. They are nothingness personified.
SSHHHHHHH! We're ignoring them.
Glock was on the wet line because he was lapping people, because despite being slow, he was faster than the backmarkers. Hamilton went past him and won. GET OVER IT.
If Glok had pitted for wets Hamilton would have been world champ.
The track was very wet, Glock could not even hold the dry part of the track....
Its over, get a life and move on. 2009 race on........
barnard is that something in your hand you playing with.
All the teams had sufficient time to develop KERS and no one had a headstart, so why should those who have put the time in be punished for making it work? Mclaren managed to take the race to the wire and still seem to have a KERS package for 2009. Ferrari however, even with their extra cash injection, stalled, complained and waited and by the time they got round to actually working were already behind.
If the cars were designed for the weight/dist and areo compromises of KERS and then run without it that car would be at disadvantage compared to a car that was not designed to run it in the first place. Look for any team that built the car around KERS to suffer for not running it and vice versa. STR could have another great year...
The fact that BMW and Mclaren have persisted with their systems to get them up to race speed means there must be some merit in having the KERS. Time will tell.....
Iv'e got a a Phd in told you so? what did they expect??
What if all the teams (which will be difficult, considering the 'success' with KERS that BMW and McLaren have had) agreed to just not use the system this year? If it's optional this year (?), why don't they all just opt-out until '10?
I know, I know, makes too much sense.
If only McLaren and BMW have working systems by the start of the season you can bet they'll not be allowed to use them this year.
how about hamster wheels?
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