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[spankyham]

In previous years, the application of the Energy Recovery Systems (ERS) has been at the discretion of the driver, ie a button they press that had up to 6 seconds of functionality per lap. We the spectators knew from the on-screen graphic, when the driver was applying/using KERS.

IMO the biggest change in ERS in 2014 isn't the great increase in the energy it will contribute, or that it comes in two ways - ERS-K and ERS-H, but rather that, as I understand it, the application is being taken away from the driver and given to software and mapping.

Personally I think, without really good on-screen graphics, this will be very confusing. But leaving that aside, do you think it is a good thing that the use/application of ERS has been taken out of the drivers complete control?

[What's Burning?]

It depends, if the mapping can be controlled from the pits. Often a driver would choose to use the KERS for defensive or offensive use given a specific situation. It's my understanding that at this point it's being used (from a programing standpoint) to suit the circuit. What I don't know if it can be changed on the fly or if there will still be a "push to enable" button. You need power when you need power and that need can change over a given lap.

I don't know enough about the background workings to make choose at this time.

[spankyham]

It depends, if the mapping can be controlled from the pits. Often a driver would choose to use the KERS for defensive or offensive use given a specific situation. It's my understanding that at this point it's being used (from a programing standpoint) to suit the circuit. What I don't know if it can be changed on the fly or if there will still be a "push to enable" button. You need power when you need power and that need can change over a given lap.

I don't know enough about the background workings to make choose at this time.

My understanding is there will not be any button for the driver to push.

[bud]

i never really liked the "push to pass" functionality of KERS, Seemed to gimmicky to me.

[spankyham]

Just confirmed the drivers will definitely not have any way to influence/select the use of ERS - it is all controlled by the ECU from 2014.

[What's Burning?]

So can the ECU change on the fly or is it per-programmed for an optimum lap time?

[spankyham]

So can the ECU change on the fly or is it per-programmed for an optimum lap time?

The ECU being programmable leads me to think there will be scope to add a lot of intelligence here. For sure it will be variable depending on different track positions etc. But the intention is clear - shift the control away from the driver to the car.

[sagi58]

Just confirmed the drivers will definitely not have any way to influence/select the use of ERS - it is all controlled by the ECU from 2014.

And, the ECU is designed/supplied by whom?

[racechick]

Well, as I understand it,there's a limited amount of this power available,so if a driver uses it all up he's vulnerable, if he's clever in the deployment, then he can use it tactically. So it's another skill, using it to best effect. I think the driver should have the control. Apologies if I've misunderstood the whole thing.

[sagi58]

Is the commentary going to include vocabulary such as bonus points, coins, extra lives found in video games??

[Jabberwocky]

I have no problem with ECU controlled ERS. It is not something you would want to control in your road car. It is not as if I sit in my car and press a button to turn the turbo on

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[CookinFlat6]

They really should have a detent position on the right pedal, i.e. you push it down to the limit and there is a bit more after that, which triggers the xtra power. But I beleive that is not in the rules either. The extra electrical energy is being forced to be integrated as that makes for more clever solutions and elctronic mapping wizardry
I heard that the driver can adjust the engine map lap by lap though. Just like in a road car, economic setting, more aggressive, sports mode, all out last ditch stand mode etc etc
Thats better than a push to pass button

[geetface9]

I don't have a problem with them not controlling it

[What's Burning?]

After mulling it over a bit more, I don't have a preference. In the end, it's whatever makes for the best racing but this is really such an integral part of the power delivery, with likely numerous nuances between implementations. I'm almost certain that there will be differences even between drivers in the same team.

[spankyham]

Does anyone have any thoughts or views on the discrepancies we are going to see? EG If a Marussia has full ERS being delivered and a Merc has none at that point? That would be very weird.

Does Luca have a point that it will be very hard to understand without well thought out graphics for viewers (what about those at the track)?