Ferrari and Renault are leading calls to bring Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) back into Formula 1. However, there are those who disagree with those teams and think it should stay away from F1.
The system harnesses the braking energy by storing it in super-capacitor batteries or a flywheel which then release power to the driven wheels when required by a press of a button on the steering wheel. The system was used in the 2009 season, before the teams decided to no longer use the system in 2010.
KERS is good for the sport’s green credentials, but is very expensive to develop; McLaren, Ferrari, Renault and BMW, spent a total of £40m on their KERS system for 2009.
The system is being adapted by a number of Formula 1 teams for use in road cars such as the Ferrari 599 Hybrid, but the question is not just should it be used in Formula 1, but should it be compulsory, and should each team have to use the same system?
If I governed over the sport I would want KERS in F1. I think that any way we can introduce green technology into F1 is great, especially if it enhances the racing. However, I would not make the system compulsory, and I would not introduce a standard system – I think that if everyone had the same system everyone would use it at the same points out on track and it wouldn’t enhance the racing, so individual development of KERS from each team is a necessity.
What are your thoughts?
Hmmm I’m not sure. In all honesty I think I would like it back in F1, it adds another element to the racing, albeit a bit artificial. I think only though if all teams had the same system, so it’s a level playing field, then it’s up to the drivers how and when they use their boosts. Could make for some interesting battles if they all had it, because a driver defending might use up their KERS in the first half of a lap leaving them open to attack if the other driver still had some KERs energy left.
So yes, I would like to see it back, but only if they all had the same system, because surely most of the money has been spent now in researching and developing it, so it might not cost too much to implement it now.
KERS no. Push to pass button? YES YES YES!
KERS should be in F1 and that’s fact.
It should however, not be in F1 in the form it was in 2009. Too many restrictions, only allowing it to be used for 7s per lap and limiting the power it produces, just destined it for failure.
Bring it back, don’t limit the power or amount it can be used and hey presto, F1 is greener and may be even more fun.
Discussed at greater length here: How to “improve the show”
If there are worries over cost, then all teams should use a standard unit. And if limits on it’s usage are needed then make it per race rather than per lap, i.e. can be used for upto 10minutes over the period of a race…
I think that kers should be opened up and explored more. The idea of it being compulsory was thrown about last season but I have to disagree with that-just let the teams use it if they want. I’m not one for the idea of ‘all things equal’ or the same as I think the teams should be allowed to go in whatever direction they choose and finally get a bit more freedom into F1. Plus, the choice of whether to use kers actually spiced things up a bit BMW and co spent far too long on it for little gain and suffered while RBR was able to jump to the front by being clever with aero. This could be a sort of modern, green, ‘turbo’ or boost era
I wish engines were allowed to be tinkered with again especially now the rules have changed so much with regards to the ban on refuelling. The economic situation is still tentative (at best) and F1 isn’t immune to it but the FIA could gradually soften their stance.
I am pretty cynical that the green issue in F1 is just being used because it is fashionable. It’s something that I’m really indifferent about but there is the appeal of it being another new area to see some innovation and creativity which is nice. I also don’t think that kers will revolutionise the green front in anyway but it’s something fairly new and could lead the way for other ideas. F1 needs to keep moving forward not back.
KERS brought back I don’t think it should because everyone will pretty much use it to defend when the other driver pushes the button.
KERS yes , but at an affordable price.