Teams considering KERS return in 2011
The KERS button and its associated power boost could see its return to Formula One in 2011 after teams had positive talks on the system during a FOTA meeting on wednesday. Several KERS manufacturers are now interested to provide KERS to other teams at a reasonable price.
When the FIA put the Kinetic Energy Recovery System into the regulations back in 2008, several teams jumped on the technology and invested millions, believing that they would gain a considerable advantage when done right.
It turned out differently however, with Renault and BMW Sauber stepping away from their systems early on during the 2009 season. McLaren however enjoyed success with the device, salvaging the money that flew into it.
While the FIA still allows the system in 2010, FOTA judged it was opportune to make a gentlemen's agreement not to use it due to the hight costs involved.
After yesterday's meeting however, it turns out there are more and more supporters of the system. Williams technical director Sam Michael revealed that Ferrari and Renault would be willing to supply a cheaper and more powerful KERS to teams who want it.
"Basically Ferrari and Renault put forward proposals that they could do KERS for less than a million euros," Michael is quoted as saying by Reuters.
"Those have been accepted but what Ferrari and Renault are both saying is that unless we increase the energy level from the current 400 kilojoules up to 600 or 800, to make KERS more beneficial, they are not prepared at this stage to commit that they will actually do KERS."
"Renault will supply anyone who asks for it on the grid and Ferrari will supply any of their customers, anyone who is running a Ferrari engine."
It looks however like more discussion is required before an agreement will be reached.
“I think that by Barcelona (next week’s Spanish Grand Prix), the FOTA executive is due to try and make a decision on KERS for 2011. It’s all pretty split at the moment on that.” he said.
Williams F1 meanwhile is thought to be ready to use its own flywheel system from Williams Hybrid Power, especially now that they have taken a large stake into the company.
