Renault considering KERS for Monza

[John S]

Now that Macca have won a race and both they and Ferrari are back up the sharp end the others are starting to see that KERS may have potential, or is it they are fed up getting beat?

By Simon Strang, Today, Autosport

Renault is considering re-introducing its KERS system for the Italian Grand Prix on September 13.

The team's techincal director Bob Bell ruled out bringing the system back online for Spa, as Renault introduces a low-downforce aerodynamic package to the R29 for the next two races.

But Monza's long straights and fast corners, as well as the heavy braking zones into the Variante del Rettifilio and Roggia chicanes make the circuit well-suited to the system.

"We're always adding new developments and for the next couple of races we'll be using a low downforce package on the car," he said. "As for KERS, we don't plan to use it in Spa, but we're considering it for Monza as we believe it will provide a real advantage there."

Despite Fernando Alonso's sixth place at Valencia last weekend, Bell admitted that Renault was disappointed not to have scored more points following the double world champion's strong performance during practice.

"It was good to be back in the points, but overall we were disappointed as we had hoped for more from the weekend and believe we could have been fighting for a podium," he said. "Fernando was quick in practice and we were quite confident that he had the potential to get on the front row in qualifying, but unfortunately he had a brake problem which meant he started eighth.

"To make up two places in the race on a street circuit where overtaking is difficult was probably as much as we could have hoped for from the race."

Bell added that the team will continue to develop the R29 further as it seeks a strong finish to the season, but admitted that Renault is now beginning to focus more next year's contender.

"Pushing the development of the R29 late into the season while also working on the R30 is stretching our resources to the limit," he said. "We're managing things on a week-by-week basis and gradually allocating more and more resources onto next year's car whist still pushing hard to improve the R29.

"We're fortunate that the aerodynamic regulations next year remain the same and we can transfer what we learn from the R30 onto the current car, but it's fair to say that the majority of the effort is now going into next year's car."

[Jericoke]

McLaren and Ferrari only got KERS to work by working on it every race.

Renault is right not to just pop it in and hope it works.  The drivers don't know how to use it, the fuel strategy, tire and engine wear will change.

McLaren and Ferrari have sorted this out.  Renault will have to work on that still.

I still hope F1 keeps it for next year though!