BMW and Mercedes not backing KERS ban

[John S]

I can understand McLaren's reluctance to give up KERS as theirs seems to work fine but BMW may just be having doubts especially as Kubica hates it.

BMW Sauber team boss Mario Theissen has refused to back Flavio Briatore's claim that FOTA is seeking a KERS ban for the 2010 season.

The Renault chief and commercial chairman of the Formula One Teams Association, a staunch critic of the new energy recovery technology, said in Bahrain: "Yes, FOTA wants to ban it from 2010."

"We quickly understood that KERS would cost us a lot of money and the FIA must take note," Briatore told La Gazetta dello Sport.

There was a strong indication in the Bahrain paddock, however, that McLaren Mercedes do not support a KERS ban, while BMW's Theissen said: "I don't want to comment on that, but nothing is decided."

It is almost certain that KERS champion and FIA President Max Mosley would not agree to banning the technology, but as it is not compulsory this year, nothing would stop FOTA members from simply unanimously agreeing not to use it.

The FIA's plan is to impose KERS starting with the 2010 season, with talks of a standard system supplied to all teams in order to reduce costs.

The next meeting of the teams association is scheduled for May 6 in London.

© CAPSIS International

[Jericoke]

With rev limits and design freezes making all engines (debateably) identical, I'm surprised that teams aren't embracing KERS as the best way to get 10 HP on their competitors!

I guess they are serious about saving money after all.

Or is KERS too strictly regulated for effective development?

[Alianora La Canta]

The latter. At the moment, the various disadvantages of KERS (including but not limited to weight distribution, gross weight and the fact that it can only be used on straights) outweigh the horsepower benefit.

[johnbull]

This is great. What a way to save money.

FIA imposes KERS on the teams.

Teams spend millions on KERS developement.

Before some teams have even tried it there are proposals to remove it next year.

BRILLIANT. Vive le F I A.

[Steven Roy]

To add to johnbull's comments at the same time the FIA introduces KERS they  specify over-sized front tyres so that teams have to move weight forward and drivers have to go on weight reducing diets.

[Jericoke]

This is great. What a way to save money.

FIA imposes KERS on the teams.

Teams spend millions on KERS developement.

Before some teams have even tried it there are proposals to remove it next year.

BRILLIANT. Vive le F I A.

I think 'stay the course' has become passe.

It's acceptable to realise you've made a bad decision and cut your losses.

Personaly, I wish they'd get KERS right.  It would fit the spirit of 'trickle down technology' that F1 is supposed to be famous for.

I'd rather have a road car with KERS than an hybrid!

[Scott]

I think 'stay the course' has become passe.

It's acceptable to realise you've made a bad decision and cut your losses.

Frighteningly, a conversation I recently had with my Financial Advisor had those same terms...but she wanted me to 'Stay the course' (her words, I swear), while I wanted to 'cut my losses'. 

You don't by any chance work for Scotiabank, do you??

[Jericoke]

I think 'stay the course' has become passe.

It's acceptable to realise you've made a bad decision and cut your losses.

Frighteningly, a conversation I recently had with my Financial Advisor had those same terms...but she wanted me to 'Stay the course' (her words, I swear), while I wanted to 'cut my losses'. 

You don't by any chance work for Scotiabank, do you??

A friend of mine works for Scotiabank, actually.

Obviously knowing when to 'stay the course' and when to 'cut losses' is very difficult, or else we wouldn't have thise worldwide financial 'whatever'. 

Eitehr decision would be farely safe.  I think that going ahead with KERS would be the braver choice, but if we're looking at another $3 million to develop it, with a total cap of $40 million, that's a huge chunk that would be better spent on hi HP motors or adjustable wings.

[lkjohnson1950]

Next year may see a standardized KERS system used by all the teams, so all this work and expense is probably for naught.

Lonny

[johnbull]

Next year may see a standardized KERS system used by all the teams, so all this work and expense is probably for naught.

Lonny

Situation normal.  And how much did the teams spend developing KERS?

So much for Max's lessons in economics. Stick to porn and whips Max, you do it better.

[lkjohnson1950]

Of course the teams won't have to spend anything additional to adapt their engine-tranny packages to the standardized KERS either. And Ferrari is blaming the McLaren ECU for Massa's retirement at Malaysia, imagine the possibilities with something as complicated as KERS.

Lonny

[John S]

Next year may see a standardized KERS system used by all the teams, so all this work and expense is probably for naught.

Lonny

Unless you are Mclaren who seem to have made the KERS work without fuss. They are probably looking to tender for the single system supply.

[Jericoke]

Next year may see a standardized KERS system used by all the teams, so all this work and expense is probably for naught.

Lonny

Unless you are Mclaren who seem to have made the KERS work without fuss. They are probably looking to tender for the single system supply.

I know I'm lining up to buy the tech that has helped the world champion get to the middle of the field.