A waste of money. Pointless greenwash. White elephant. Just a few of the criticisms levelled at the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems that were introduced into F1 this year amid much fanfare. Nine races in, no KERS-equipped car has won a race or even set a pole position. Of the four teams that began the year … Continue reading F1 should not be too hasty to drop KERS
kinetic energy recovery system articles archive
Should KERS be put back to 2010? (Poll)
Posted onBMW is under pressure to abandon its opposition to a delay on the introduction of Kinetic Energy Reduction Systems (KERS). Luca di Montezemolo, Flavio Briatore and John Howett representing Ferrari, Renault and Toyota have all spoken in favour of postponing the introduction of KERS until 2010.
KERS explained: how a mechanical Kinetic Energy Recovery System works
Posted onKinetic Energy Recovery Systems are one of the big talking points off the off-season, as F1 teams weigh up whether to use them on their 2009 F1 cars. KERS builders Flybrid Systems demonstrated a working Formula 1-spec device at the Autosport International show. I had a chat with managing partner Jon Hilton who talked me … Continue reading KERS explained: how a mechanical Kinetic Energy Recovery System works
Why teams could build two cars for 2009 to get the maximum out of KERS
Posted onRobert Kubica has given some insight into how Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) are influencing 2009 car design: Our car for sure will also run without KERS. And it is my opinion that the car built without KERS can go quicker compared to the car that was built with KERS but is not using it. … Continue reading Why teams could build two cars for 2009 to get the maximum out of KERS
KERS causing problems for F1 teams
Posted onThe new-for-2009 Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) are starting to make their first appearances on F1 test machinery. However two teams have run into early problems with the devices. First Red Bull suffered a fire at their factory while working on the systems. And today a BMW mechanic got an electric shock while testing the … Continue reading KERS causing problems for F1 teams
Problems with KERS and its impact on F1
Posted onMax Mosley has tried to shrug off growing demands for him to quit in the face of lurid revelations about his personal life and pushed ahead with his plans to introduce environmentally-friendly kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) in F1 from 2009. He has written to teams outlining a vision of how a more powerful KERS … Continue reading Problems with KERS and its impact on F1
Poll: should F1 have push-to-pass?
Posted onNext year F1 cars will have to use KERS which will allow them to re-use energy generated under braking. The FIA intends for drivers to be able to used the stored energy to get an 80bhp power boost on-demand. Other series like A1 Grand Prix use similar systems called ‘push to pass’ where drivers can … Continue reading Poll: should F1 have push-to-pass?
What comes after a ten year engine freeze?
Posted onThe FIA offered up another of its more unusual ideas for future engine rules a few weeks ago: banning engine development for ten years I didn’t write much about it at the time because there was much more interesting stuff going on and Max Mosley has a habit of threatening daft ideas like this as … Continue reading What comes after a ten year engine freeze?
KERS technology revealed
Posted onA British company has confirmed it is working with a top F1 team on the development of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System planned for 2009. Torotrak is working with two other companies, Xtrac and Flybrid Systems, to supply several important technologies. These are Torotrak’s traction drive technology, a continuously variable transmissions (CVT) by Xtrac and … Continue reading KERS technology revealed