Winter Testing

[johnbull]

What is the exact situation with KERS. Is it obligatory or is it not. Is it to be used from 2009, 2010 or what.

When is Max going to make his mind up.

[J.Clark]

I think the mandate is from 2010 on - not positive though.

McLaren are on top all the way in Portugal.  Even though Ferrari pulled up 1.2 seconds today, they were still over a second off the pace of PDR's McLaren.  Massa was reported ill and Luca was testing solo today, working on set ups to get the most of the slicks.

Times from Jerez indicate that Vettel seems quite able to extract the most from the Red Bull.
1. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull Racing 1:16.617 - laps 107
2. Sebastien Buemi Scuderia Toro Rosso 1:16.988 - laps 92
3. Robert Kubica BMW Sauber 1:19.013 - laps 100
4. Christian Klien BMW Sauber 1:19.066 - laps 38
5. Kazuki Nakajima Williams 1:19.341 - laps 131

I also read an article from the Spanish newspaper that the circuito de Jerez would suffer financial woes as a result of the cuts in testing.  During last season, the circuit hosted 22 test sessions and this year there are only 8 on the schedule.  It is also worsened I believe by the opening of the new circuit in Portugal.

[Alianora La Canta]

Optional in 2009, all bets are off in 2010.

[Dare]

Buemi's burning up the time charts,Webber better
be careful

[Steven Roy]

What is the exact situation with KERS. Is it obligatory or is it not. Is it to be used from 2009, 2010 or what.

When is Max going to make his mind up.

This would be the ideal issue for FOTA to put a marker down.  All they have to do is say that the are not doing KERS and there is nothing Max could do about it.  Unfortunately it looks like Ferrari would gain by it so I don't know if I want it to happen or not.

[johnbull]

Ferrari seem to be among the least prepared for KERS, which is probably why Max gave the teams an option on it for 2009.

I agree the chances are Max will scrub it completely in 2010, especially if Ferrari still can't get the hang of it.

[J.Clark]

Frankly, I see KERS as a waste to begin with.
I understand the principle behind it, but I can't see the real purpose to playing around with it in racing cars at this level.  It has nothing to do with saving costs to teams and comes at a time when all other issues the FIA is putting in front of the FOTA are aimed at reducing the costs to operate/maintain a team.

[johnbull]

Frankly, I see KERS as a waste to begin with.
I understand the principle behind it, but I can't see the real purpose to playing around with it in racing cars at this level.  It has nothing to do with saving costs to teams and comes at a time when all other issues the FIA is putting in front of the FOTA are aimed at reducing the costs to operate/maintain a team.

My sentiments exactly.