The FIA released its regulations for the 2009 Formula One season on Dec. 22, 2006.
Along with changes to bodywork, vehicle weight and tyre size, the document includes details of a "Kinetic Energy Recovery System," or KERS. This is a regenerative brake device that is designed to recover some of the vehicle's kinetic energy that is normally dissipated as heat during braking.
The recovered energy could be stored electrically, in a battery or super-capacitor, or mechanically, in a flywheel, for use as a source of additional accelerative power at the driver's discretion.
Now, this may seem relatively easy for some teams as it is used in some road cars, but not so.
BMW use a system like this their road cars. Toyota have done some race testing on a LMP1 class Le Mans car, with promising results. Honda have tried it during private testing, and are apparently considering implementing the system on their FCX Hydrogen car.
Teething problems are coming though. Red Bull had to evacuate their factory after one of the batteries caught fire. A BMW Sauber mechanic was hospitalized after receiving an electric shock from the system.
Some teams have been lobbying for the introduction of KERS to be put back to 2011, and I agree with it. How the hell can Force India get such a complex system working before February next year?
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A lot of co-operation is needed among the teams if this is going to work.
Let's look through the field to see where the progress is:
Ferrari: They have apparently tested the system on the upcoming replacement for the Enzo Hypercar. The system used in that car may be exactly the same as the one found on the road car, mainly because Ferrari need to cut their CO2 output to comply with EU regulations. Currently conducting private tests on their F1 cars.
BMW Sauber: As noted, they have had unsuccessful tests earlier this week due to the hospitalization of one of their mechanics. They use a system like KERS in their EfficientDynamics cars, but that cannot cut it yet. More testing needed before they sign off on it, but progressing well.
Renault: As far as I know, Renault have sent test mules out in the form of Renault Megane F1 R26 around the Nurburgring to test the ability of the system, with promising results. Good progress so far, but nothing solid.
Toyota: Lots of testing so far on various race and road cars. Looking to include a similar system, or perhaps the exact same, in the follow up to the Toyota Prius. Very good progress, may be the first to complete their work.
Honda: Private tests only, and have reportedly sent out test mules in their FCX cars. Good progress, but currently refuse to make a public appearance regarding the system.
Red Bull: Well, I guess a fire at the factory is not a good indication is it? Struggling here, and may be one of the main campaigners in pushing the date back to 2011.
Toro Rosso: Same as Red Bull.
Force India: They do not even have a seamless shift gearbox yet, so how do the FIA expect a KERS system? Will not be ready, unless they can get a system from elsewhere.
Williams: Apparently making very good progress, but won't start testing until the team leave Europe. Quite weird really, but good progress is being made.
McLaren: I haven't got any information on McLaren, but I expect them to be ready for next year.
So there we have it, some are doing well, some are not. Some haven't got a hope in hell.
What do you think? Can it be done for 2009? Do you think the system is safe?
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about 1 month ago
I feel for the lower end cars, they are struggling for development this year ... They probably havent even thought about it yet ... Its crazy but to be fair they have known about this since 2006 so its not like they have only just been told about this last week ... I say if you are not ready then tough ! Thats harsh I know but the FIA will say exactly the same !
from about 1 month ago
Unfortunately they will say exactly the same. I can see Force India having to go, and Prodrive taking their place. They have so much tech that they have actually said that they can have a KERS system ready in "a few weeks"
I still want a boost button for overtaking though, hopefully KERS does provide some boost, I still haven't quite figured it out yet.
from about 1 month ago
It provides up to the equivelant of 80BHP if used as a single boost or it can be set to run constantly just maintaining the input over the duration ... Depends what kind of strategy you are running or if you are in traffic ... Check out my 2009 article in my archives for a more detailed read ... Its exciting but certainly going to cause some problems !
about 1 month ago
Rumour has it that American Honda could take a place on the 2009 grid , in the place of Super aguri , along with Prodrive , so maybe that could be the end of Force india , or maybe we will be seeing 12 teams lining up , 24 Cars sounds an exciting prospect .
This Kers system is Still a cause for concern , but you know what F1 development boffins are like , they will probably have the system completely safe within a week .
from about 1 month ago
so true. i remember when TC first came in, the mechanics all colletovely said "we're good at our job, but how the hell do you expect us to kep them on the road no matter what?" haha, look at TC now.
KERS will be on the cars next year, but Force India won't be there, unless a miracle occurs.
Prodrive already have a KERS system ready to go, so they haven't got a lot to do. American Hinda, that would be quite odd, two Honda badged teams.
remember the days we had up to 30 cars. mayhem, and it was all legal.
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