F1 teams vote to scrap KERS in 2010

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:58:00 EST

Ferrari at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's no secret that the FIA and the Formula One Teams' Association are jointly interested in reducing the cost required to compete in F1 racing, and the FOTA has taken a step in that direction by resolving to abandon the use of the controversial kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) that are permissible but not mandatory for the 2009 season. According to reports, the vote to ban the hybrid powertrains was not unanimous, but a majority of teams have voted against the technology for 2010.

As it stands, only four of the ten teams taking part in the '09 season have actually used KERS in competition and only two, McLaren and Ferrari, used it last weekend at the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul. This vote raises questions as to how F1 will promote environmental awareness in the absence of KERS-equipped powertrains.

Says McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh:

"F1 has to demonstrate that it has some green credentials, but at the same time, in this economic climate everybody is looking to save costs. It has been a huge effort talking about new entrants and making sure the smaller teams stay in F1. McLaren's position is we would like to see KERS retained - but we also accept that we have to be responsible members of the F1 community, and if the majority don't want to have KERS, or can't afford KERS at the moment, then we have to be realistic."

Gallery: 2009 Turkish Grand Prix

[Source: Crash.net | Photo: FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images]

F1 teams vote to scrap KERS in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari split as Formula One goes hybird

Noah Joseph — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Green, Technology, Ferrari

Formula One is going hybrid starting next year, according to statements released by the sport's governing body the FIA. The Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) will be phased in over a period of several years, starting with the 2009 season and culminating with the full-fledged implementation by 2013. The system works essentially by storing energy expelled under braking, which can then be used via a "push-to-pass"-style button mounted on the steering wheel that drivers can employ for an extra power boost.

The reaction within the Ferrari team, meanwhile, has been mixed. Vice-president Piero Ferrari - Enzo's son who owns 10% of the company - railed against the idea, saying it goes against the FIA's cost-cutting measures and will cost the teams inestimable sums of money to develop. Former driver Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, who remains close to the team, voiced his support for the system, saying that road cars and the environment will reap the benefits. All the while, Ferrari prepares to sell its system to other teams, starting with Force India, which, alongside Scuderia Toro Rosso, already buys its engines from Ferrari.

[Source: Autoblog Green and F1-Live]

Ferrari split as Formula One goes hybird originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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