Theissen: BMW is ready to race KERS

[John S]

They may be ready to roll with Kers but my bet is they will not use it in Melbourne.
If they use it and they are really off the pace the embarrasment may mean they shelve Kers for most of the season, so they won't risk it. What does any one else think?

BMW motorsport boss Mario Theissen says his team is ready to race the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, but has not made a decision on whether to use it at the start of the season.

Theissen says the team will have to consider the advantages and disadvantages - mainly the added weight - of the system at every track before deciding to run it.

"We've got our KERS to the stage where it is race-ready, which means we can use it in Melbourne," said Theissen on Monday. "Now it's just a matter of weighing up the pros and cons.

"On the positive side, the drivers would have an extra 82 hp at their disposal for 6.6 seconds per lap.

"However, the system adds weight to the car and this has an impact on the car's weight distribution and tyre wear. We will make a decision on a driver-by-driver, circuit-by-circuit basis."

BMW has been one of the main supporters of KERS over the past year. Even so, Theissen admits developing the device has been a "huge challenge", although he is very pleased with the progress made since its conception.

"The introduction of KERS brake energy regeneration technology into Formula 1 also represented new territory," he said. "This has been a huge challenge, one which we have taken on with great drive and determination.

"When I look back at how far we have come in such a short space of time, it really is very impressive. Here, Formula 1 has taken on the role of technology accelerator for series production cars of the future."

By Pablo Elizalde Today Autosport.com.