Only one BMW to race KERS in Melbourne

[John S]

KERS weight penalty too great for Robert Kubica

Nick Heidfeld's BMW Sauber F1.09, but not that of his team-mate Robert Kubica, will be fitted with an active Kinetic Energy Recovery System for the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

The news was confirmed not only by Heidfeld but also his team boss Mario Theissen.

The reason for the split strategy is due to the weight of the drivers: while Heidfeld is perhaps the lightest in the entire 2009 field, Kubica - one of the tallest drivers - would have made his F1.09 ten kilograms over the 605kg minimum weight had he elected to run KERS. 
 
"The regulations mean that heavy drivers are disadvantaged," Theissen said in Melbourne.

He added that he hopes an advantageous KERS solution will be able to be devised for Kubica, for deployment later this season.

E.A, Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

[Dare]

Maybe I'm wrong but I think it would have been interesting
if the rules made 1 car use KERS and 1 not.That way we could
have seen the difference it made.

Probably wouldn't have been too fair for certain drivers but
it would have been interesting

[John S]

An interesting idea Dare, perhaps BMW have had similar thoughts and are seeing for themselves. I wonder what will happen if Kubica easily beats Heidfeld without KERS?

[FW14B]

Well Kubica in the non-KERS car went faster than Heidfeld in qualification...

[SennaMan]

Well Kubica in the non-KERS car went faster than Heidfeld in qualification...

and remains a very serious contender for a podium finish for the race, even win it.