Teams to discuss return of KERS

The potential return of Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) to Formula 1 for 2011 is set to dominate the agenda of a meeting of team principals in Malaysia later today, AUTOSPORT has learned.

The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) is holding a get-together this evening to discuss the lessons of the first few races, and begin evaluation of improvements that could be made to the sport to improve the show.

Although some of the talks are expected to revolve around technical changes to the cars, sources suggest that one of the main areas of focus to help improving overtaking will be in getting KERS back on the cars.

The green technology was abandoned at the end of last year when teams agreed amongst themselves not to run the devices for 2010, because of the vast expense in successfully developing it. The use of the system remains in F1's technical regulations, however.

AUTOSPORT understands that teams will look at all options for a KERS return in 2011 - ranging from a standard supplier to freeing up the technology totally. Teams will also look at exactly how much, or how little, power the KERS should have.

The momentum behind getting KERS back has been increased because of the difficulties that drivers have faced in overtaking this season - and providing a push-to-pass system once again would help with the racing.

There is also a high chance that revisions to the cars already in the pipeline will help the situation further. Double diffusers have already been banned for 2011, which should cut downforce levels, while it is understood that the FIA is looking at increasing the width of F1's rear tyres to 18 inches for next year - up from the 13 inches of the current generation.

This will produce much more mechanical grip, which should be another factor in helping boost the racing spectacle.

SOURCE: Autosport

ED: Thoughts, KA?

Oooh I do love the thought of fatter rear tyres. But at the same time wouldn't that increase the rear track of the car by some bit?

Edit: Hold on a sec. They mean rim diameter? Silly Autosport! Width should not be confused with diameter. That was horribly misleading. :evil:

Sweet 18"s on my MP4-26 ;) I think they should bring back KERS allow a standard supplier and the option for teams to make their own that way Williams can have their Flybrid system they have heavily invested in while McLaren and Ferrari can use their battery system and feel like they didn't flush money and time down the toilet.

The limit for power or duration however is going to be something difficult to determine. Some tracks would cry out for more KERS whereas others wont present the opportunity to use it effectively. Keeping in mind the limits were based on energy output rather than a raw power burst or time. One could use KERS at half power for double the time, or perhaps twice the power for half the time if this was possible. I'm all for it but perhaps the energy limits should be increased based on 2009 to make things more exciting in the racing, in cars that will all be using a near identical engine, strictly controlled bodywork and all running the same fuel strategy...

RENAULT LEADS CALLS FOR KERS RETURN

Renault is leading calls for rival teams to end resistance to Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) returning to Formula 1 next year, because it believes such a move will benefit the sport hugely.

Opinions are currently divided between team principals about the potential return of KERS in 2011, with talks in a Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) meeting at Sepang on Friday proving inconclusive.

However, Renault thinks that those outfits sceptical about getting it back should think more about what is best for F1 in general.

Team boss Eric Boullier believes that not only will a KERS return improve the sport's environmental considerations at a time when there are calls for it to be more 'green', but it will also help the racing if, as is hoped, its power output and use is increased from the limits imposed last year.

"Renault is aiming to have KERS back in 2011 because for us there are many interests in having this," Boullier told AUTOSPORT.

"First of all we already have the system. We have spent the money to develop KERS [for 2009], so to not use it any more is a bit of a waste of money.

"The second thing is that we do believe for the Renault car manufacturer there is a strong interest in using this technology regarding the development of hybrid technology in road cars. It also helps pass on the message that F1 is technological and environmentally friendly, which is a good message.

"On top of this, the reason we are asking for is the system to recover more energy - more than the 400KJ than the previous generation - is because it can become part of the show as well. It will clearly be an advantage to have KERS as well, and it can help overtaking."

AUTOSPORT understands that Renault and Ferrari are the two teams pushing hardest for a KERS return for 2011, but there is resistance from a number of other teams who may feel that their own units will not be as competitive under the new more powerful limits – which could allow up to 800KJ of energy to be stored.

To counter such concerns, Boullier believes there was a chance that his team's supplier Magneti Marelli could make units available to every team – and even as a last resort the possibility of a standard supplier. There is also talk of imposing a cap on development and running costs so as not to start a spending war.

Boullier added: "We support the idea of KERS, and we can also help other teams and manufacturers who cannot get it. But now it will be a big discussion and a tough debate between the teams.

"As a manufacturer we need to have some deeper talks, because if KERS has to be back it must be a tool that every team can use. We will not run a KERS on our own, but we will support strongly an idea to propose KERS for every team because we do believe it is fitting for F1."

 AUTOSPORT

F1 maybe should visit one oval track a year, Would make things all the more interesting, as for KERS?, I think that forced pit stops mandated by the FIA on a certain lap maybe would make things all the more interesting, two tyre suppliers for a tyre war, get rid of all this aero **** on the car and make it only so the cars can go fast, but have the mechanical grip back, and KERS I feel might be a good thing.kipi19

I agree with a tyre war coming back into play if the split is near 50/50 so the teams can have a real scrap in the field with tyres suiting one circuit might bring a mid-field team into play against top players with tyres less suited ALA Ferrari vs. Renault in 2006 where the swing of power shifted race by race due to the tyres.

Aero however, we still haven't found a silver bullet and the more we change it the more the teams spend and the more the problem will get worse. The regulations need to be freer, with a possible re-introduction of tunnels, or ground effect which produces far less drag and far less wake which should allow closer racing. Who knows. 

Also bring back refueling. (and the Ferrari V12 *drool*) 

Aero however, we still haven't found a silver bullet and the more we change it the more the teams spend and the more the problem will get worse. The regulations need to be freer, with a possible re-introduction of tunnels, or ground effect which produces far less drag and far less wake which should allow closer racing. Who knows. 

Also bring back refueling. (and the Ferrari V12 *drool*) 

KimisApprentice

Though what engine cap would like your V12 to be? Current capacity which I doubt would be any reliable, 3.0L or even the old 3.5L Formula from nearly two decades ago?

Also, not so sure if "ground effect" would allow closer racing.