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FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 07 Jun 2009, 21:40
by Scotracer
The Formula One Teams' Association is pushing for the sport to abandon KERS entirely next year, after agreeing that the technology should be dropped as it is now too expensive.
Following a limited take-up of the energy recovery device for 2009, members of the teams' organisation have voted in favour of abandoning it entirely next year on money grounds.
While the move has not been universally welcomed, with BMW Sauber in particular once again keen for it to be retained, the majority decision by FOTA means that the move has now been put into action.
BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen said: "We have voted in favour of KERS but, as with all the other FOTA decisions so far, we will go with the majority."
Although KERS is currently allowed in the 2010 technical regulations, there is nothing forcing teams to run it. At the Turkish Grand Prix, only McLaren and Ferrari competed with the device.
Even if the FIA refuses to change the regulations to outlaw it, FOTA agreement would be enough for the technology not to be used.
Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said that even though his team had invested a lot of time and effort in developing KERS it was for the greater good that the decision had been made to abandon it.
When asked on Sunday night if it was true the teams were pushing for it to be dropped, Domenicali said: "Yes. In terms of the discussion we had within FOTA, we are talking about cost saving for the new teams as well.
"We are the only one together with McLaren who are using it. We invested a lot and we always said that it is difficult for the supporters to understand why there are some cars with KERS and some cars without KERS, so if you have a total logical approach, if we are all together fine then it is better not to have it."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/75945
Not surprising really. It's a waste of development money for no performance enhancement.
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 07 Jun 2009, 21:52
by FGD
What a waste. All the changes for 2009 have actually produced a series which is less competitive (though it's nice to see a new teaming winning).
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 07 Jun 2009, 21:59
by ESPImperium
Common sense in this ecomomic climate has prevailed. Should free up a lot of budget for all teams.
What they should do is have a voluntary code that they have to sign up to to ban it from now on!!!
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 07 Jun 2009, 22:33
by WhiteBlue
It will be interesting to see if Williams will go back to FOTA and agree with the decision. Dropping Kers after spending all the money for developing it makes little sense.
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 00:09
by flynfrog
wow common sense prevails in F1
remind me to buy a loto ticket
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 00:32
by modbaraban
The KERsystem was nothing more than an environmental statement. A pricy one. Now that the made their point, it's dropped. KERS wasn't saving fuel anyways.
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 01:11
by flynfrog
modbaraban wrote:The KERsystem was nothing more than an environmental statement. A pricy one. Now that the made their point, it's dropped. KERS wasn't saving fuel anyways.
gasp
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 02:09
by Scania
Oh, that is their high technology racing?
maybe they will drop Fuel injection system next time?
However, the KERS rule is suck now.
they can't limited the power driver can relase per lap, but limite the battery size, how much energy it can store!
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 02:18
by FGD
modbaraban wrote:The KERsystem was nothing more than an environmental statement. A pricy one. Now that the made their point, it's dropped. KERS wasn't saving fuel anyways.
Isn't there a team in the American Le Mans Series trying out a different version of KERS?
I don't think it's such a bad idea to develop hybrid technology in racing but F1 is not the right platform in my opinion.
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 02:36
by flynfrog
There is a team that is running one it has yet to work in racing environment.
I dont think its a terrible idea in it's self but id rather see it stand on its own with more open engine rules none of this revlimiter multi race engine crap.
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 02:39
by WhiteBlue
Scania wrote:Oh, that is their high technology racing?
maybe they will drop Fuel injection system next time?
Brilliant !!! Or drop crash tests to save a buck here and there.
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 02:40
by flynfrog
WhiteBlue wrote:Scania wrote:Oh, that is their high technology racing?
maybe they will drop Fuel injection system next time?
Brilliant !!! Or drop crash tests to save a buck here and there.
yes because KERS made the cars safer
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 02:54
by FGD
flynfrog wrote:There is a team that is running one it has yet to work in racing environment.
I dont think its a terrible idea in it's self but id rather see it stand on its own with more open engine rules none of this revlimiter multi race engine crap.
I would prefer that F1 would be, with an exception to driver safety, essentially unlimited and exotic.
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 02:57
by flynfrog
FGD wrote:flynfrog wrote:There is a team that is running one it has yet to work in racing environment.
I dont think its a terrible idea in it's self but id rather see it stand on its own with more open engine rules none of this revlimiter multi race engine crap.
I would prefer that F1 would be, with an exception to driver safety, essentially unlimited and exotic.
I agree along with the engine. set a misplacement and let the teams do as they with
Re: FOTA agrees to drop KERS from 2010
Posted: 08 Jun 2009, 03:10
by FGD
flynfrog wrote:There is a team that is running one it has yet to work in racing environment.
I dont think its a terrible idea in it's self but id rather see it stand on its own with more open engine rules none of this revlimiter multi race engine crap.
I looked it up and found the Ginetta-Zytec Hybrid was driven to 13th place a few weeks ago at Miller Motorsport Part. That's dead last for it's class. Interestingly, the car was driven by Stefan Johanssen.