KERS remains a 2010 option for Williams

[John S]

Trust Frank and Patrick to find an upside to being booted out of FOTA, .... or is this a bargaining chip to get something else?.

Williams has refused to rule out the possibility the team might overlook the self-imposed Formula One Teams' Association ban next year and race KERS.

The manufacturer-dominated alliance has agreed not to fit the systems to their cars next year. However that is just a separate gentleman's agreement, as the regulations continue to permit its use next year.

Williams has so far never raced with KERS, but has been steadily developing an unique flywheel-based system this year.

When asked if it will be debuted in 2010, a spokesman for the Grove-based team answered: "We can't confirm precise intentions as we are still developing our KERS system."

He made clear the team, suspended from the association for breaking ranks and signing up for the 2010 world championship amid the recent FIA war, is not bound by the FOTA agreement. 
 
"We are not members of FOTA and thus strictly are not bound by their decisions," said the Williams spokesman. "Further, the Formula One technical regulations require unanimity if they are to be changed.

"All of that said, we naturally work closely with all the teams in the sport to contribute to the best regulatory environment for F1.

"I'd also be bound to mention that some FOTA members, notably Mercedes, look like they are reviewing their KERS policy."

E.A. © CAPSIS International

[Jericoke]

I would certainly like to see KERS used more extensively in F1, not less.

I understand that the FIA regs allow for more KERS energy to be released next season, which would make the systems more effective.

If they're going to ban fuel entirely, and electric cars become more common place, surely an electric F1 car wouldn't be out of the question.  (Although... it'll take some getting used to to have silent F1 cars.)