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[EwanM]

Even McLaren is not committed to KERS
''Nothing is set in stone'' - Whitmarsh
21/04/09 15:07
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/n ... 0726.shtml

Even McLaren is not staunchly committed to using its KERS system throughout the entire 2009 Formula One calendar.

Amid reliability and safety concerns for its system, Ferrari took the controversial energy re-use technology off its cars in Shanghai. However the team will attempt to fit KERS to its F60 cars again this weekend in Bahrain.

Renault's two cars also did not feature KERS in the Chinese Grand Prix, despite using it in Australia and Malaysia. Robert Kubica tested the system aboard his BMW Sauber last Friday but it was withdrawn for qualifying and the race.

As well as Nick Heidfeld's BMW Sauber, the two McLarens were the only cars using KERS in China even though the huge front straight was theoretically ideal for the 82hp bursts.

But McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh makes clear that his team is not staunchly committed to using the technology all season.

"Nothing is set in stone," the Briton is quoted as saying by motorsport-magazin.com.

"We will not have it in the car if we do not get an advantage from it," Whitmarsh added.

With so many teams seemingly abandoning the system in favour of aerodynamic upgrades etc. etc, could the future of KERS be put "on ice" for a period?

[texasmr2]

It was a nice effort but I feel its future will be short, why not just bring back turbo's?

[csrracer]

KERS doesn't belong in F1 it belongs in a Prius. It's too expensive to develop, especially in a global recession when Sponsors will become harder to come by, It's too unreliable, It's too heavy, and it's too dangerous to have that much ungrounded electricity in the cockpit of a race car.

[texasmr2]

KERS doesn't belong in F1 it belongs in a Prius. It's too expensive to develop, especially in a global recession when Sponsors will become harder to come by, It's too unreliable, It's too heavy, and it's too dangerous to have that much ungrounded electricity in the cockpit of a race car.

What I should have said!

[Gilles 27]

Here here! I hate KERS with all my might, the more teams that drop it the better imo

[Gaz]

well its worked well so far, but we haven't see it without it?

[csrracer]

To make KERS helpful in F1 I think it would need to run off the front wheels the Generator could be used as the braking system, then be turned around (electronically) to drive the front wheels. This way it could not only help on straights, It would be a big plus through the turns especially when it's wet, and it would give the cars 4 wheel drive to get out of those awful Gravel traps.

[bud]

Im with Mosley on this one, i think its needed for the future of not only F1 but for Motorsport. The world is changing and for motorsport to be seen as a viable exercise it needs to change also!

[csrracer]

Im with Mosley on this one, i think its needed for the future of not only F1 but for Motorsport. The world is changing and for motorsport to be seen as a viable exercise it needs to change also!

Are you agreeing with it Because you actually think it's better than say an alternative fuel? Or are you agreeing with it because as of right now the only system that works is Mclarens?

[Gaz]

Im with Mosley on this one, i think its needed for the future of not only F1 but for Motorsport. The world is changing and for motorsport to be seen as a viable exercise it needs to change also!

Max won't be at the MTC in July mate your not going to get taken away and whipped

You don't have to agree if you don't want to.

[bud]

Im with Mosley on this one, i think its needed for the future of not only F1 but for Motorsport. The world is changing and for motorsport to be seen as a viable exercise it needs to change also!

Are you agreeing with it Because you actually think it's better than say an alternative fuel? Or are you agreeing with it because as of right now the only system that works is Mclarens?

why would you suggest that when this thread is about McLaren not committing to KERS?

[csrracer]

I thought it was about KERS in general??????

[bud]

I thought it was about KERS in general??????

as why my comment!

[scotty]

I think the fortunes of the Williams system will have a big impact on what ultimately happens to KERS in F1...

[Gaz]

I think the fortunes of the Williams system will have a big impact on what ultimately happens to KERS in F1...

Yeh also Williams KERS is being used in London busses!

Well Busses!

Can't wait to get on a buss in London with a POWERED BY WILLIAMS on the side of it.