Williams’ Nico Hulkenberg has today driven a Porsche 911 around the infamous Nurburgring Nordschleife, but it was no normal Porsche 911. It was the GT3 R Hybrid, which uses KERS-style flywheel technology developed by the Hybrid power branch of the Williams F1 team.

Hulkenberg said:

Great car, fascinating technology and an incomparable track.  This circuit is unique – you can’t compare it to any other track in the world. This is certainly not the last time I’ll drive here.  Surprisingly, in the slow corners, the 911 is not far off a Formula 1 car. The mechanical grip is impressive.
Nico Hulkenberg

How does it work?

The 911 GT3 R Hybrid features two 82hp electric motors based at the front axle in conjunction with the standard rear engine 480hp four-litre flat-six, with an electrical flywheel power generator fitted in the cockpit beside the driver, which delivers energy to the electric motors. This flywheel KERS system has its advantages over the battery system the KERS F1 teams ran last year as it can store higher amounts of energy and release it more quickly.

The driver then utilises this energy by pushing a boost button on the steering wheel, sending energy from the charged flywheel to the front axle, giving a 164hp boost for 6-8 seconds. Williams were due to use this flywheel system in F1 in 2009 but didn’t, however it seems that it could be being used if F1 teams agree to have KERS back next year.