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Archive for kers
BMW Sauber Should Scrap KERS all Together
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The off season when following the development of the KERS KERS system was an exciting, but up and down time for BMW Sauber and now early in June KERS hasn’t featured on the F1.09 since before the Spanish Grand Prix and even then it was Robert Kubica’s only race with the system on board. Kubica’s weight issue prevented his usage of the system and during the process of introducing 2 major revisions to the car in Spain and Turkey with Monaco in between, it’s usage has almost disappeared. Now with the British Grand Prix only a week and a half away, Theissen isn’t even sure it will re appear then either.
BMW Sauber has been a major proponent of the KERS system and it’s development from the get go and only a few days ago was the system voted down for next season by FOTA. Theissen still believes in the system, but as a member of FOTA will go along with their decision to not use it for 2010.
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No KERS for BMW Sauber in Turkey
Posted by: | CommentsThis weekend in Turkey is probably the most important weekend for all season for the team. It’s sort of a do or die weekend where they could really move up the grid or wallow in the back without much hope of recovery. I’m hoping for the first scenario as I hope you are.
As I mentioned earlier in a post, BMW Sauber is bringing another aero package in conjunction with the first major upgrade introduced in Barcelona. This one includes the new multi level diffuser that with any luck will improve their pace quite a bit. For the last few races the team has elected not to use their KERS system and it was thought they would re introduce it this weekend in Turkey, but that is not the case. One step at a time they say and just as in Barcelona they want to evaluate the aero package before they complicate it with KERS.
Robert Kubica Using KERS for Friday Practice in China
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For the first time this season Robert Kubica will be testing his car with the KERS device. Up until now he has been unable to use it due to the extra weight which affects ballast placement and ultimately the balance of the car and tire wear.
Shanghai International Circuit is a bit different than Melbourne or Malaysia with it’s extremely long straight along with one other very long straight and very much more suited to KERS.
All of the Questions Leading up to the Australian Grand Prix
Posted by: | CommentsJust a few days now until the Australian Grand Prix and everyone’s there getting ready. It’s the coolest start of the season in a long time with all of the new rules in place and Brawn GP replacing Honda Racing. The 2009 drivers lineup hasn’t changed much this year and there is a new circuit on board in Abu Dhabi.
This season has left a lot of questions unanswered that pretty much everyone is dying to have answered.
First came KERS. Would it be worth it? Would KERS be safe enough? Is it justifiable in these economic times?
Heavier drivers like Robert Kubica haven’t been all that keen on KERS suggesting it would penalize heavier drivers. Drivers by nature are pretty critical so we may just have to wait and see. BMW Sauber were the first to say they are KERS race ready, but haven’t let anyone know if they will actually use it in Melbourne. Is Melbourne a circuit to use KERS on? Other teams have announced they will be using KERS in Melbourne so maybe it is a track suited for it.
BMW Sauber is KERS Race Ready
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Considering that BMW Sauber and Mario Theissen have been leading the way pushing for the use of KERS, it’s not surprising that Mario has announced that KERS is now race ready. This announcement although small really bodes well for the team and could make others all that more serious about where BMW Sauber is in the pecking order.
Now, earlier Mario Theissen without explanation stated the team may not use KERS in the season opener in Australia. This fueled questions over weather KERS was indeed good for the sport being that Theissen has pushed so hard to include KERS in F1. Now he has finally come clean on the state of their KERS system and why it may or may not be used in Australia.
Theissen and Mosley Talk KERS….hmm
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Mario Theissen is a great fan of KERS right? We know that and so is Max Mosley, but that’s where it ends and so it should. Mosley doesn’t like the idea of the electric KERS system and Mario Theissen obviously does as it’s the one installed in the F1.09 and recently they exchanged words through the media on the subject that were most interesting.
At the F1.09 launch, Mario Theissen said that he felt the flywheel KERS technology had really no application for the road car industry etc.
Revisiting Another New 2009 Rule: The Use of KERS
Posted by: | CommentsKERS:
Kinetic Energy Recovery System is what it’s called and it’s the most radical change in F1 in a long time. This is a system where energy dissipated by braking is stored and can be used for up to 6 seconds a lap to provide 80 hp bursts of speed.
That’s it in a nut shell.
Two reasons it is being used. One is to ‘improve’ F1’s environmental image. I don’t buy that reason, but that’s for a little later. The other reason is part of the road relevant innovations. Yes, something to eventually use in the cars we drive.
Who’s Right, Theissen or Kubica?
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There’s no question KERS is worth a lot in terms of money, but in race safety, race implementation and usefulness, and the continuous build up in development costs, is KERS really worth the effort?
Recently Robert Kubica voiced his opinion on how he feels about KERS and the possibility it may actually hinder him. Sebastian Vettel spoke up about weather it is safe or not. No one really seems to know if it is. Ferrari have broken their budget on the development of KERS and it’s race value hasn’t even been measured.
The Kubica KERS
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Still miles away from the next season and the teams are putting their KERS powered cars on test tracks more and more with some reported good success. However, a few things of note are beginning to peek their heads up. First is Ferrari who have admittedly gone over budget on their KERS development in a time where cost cutting is on everyone’s minds.
New BMW Sauber Car on the Right Track
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It’s only been 3 days of testing for BMW Sauber, but things seems to be going pretty well. The new car as it stands now has impressed the drivers. Nick Heidfeld had his first opportunity to drive with a KERS modified car and notices a big difference when he presses the button. It is estimated that BMW Saubers’ KERS system can deliver 80 more hp every time the button is pressed and get this, no one is getting shocked. 
The next step for the team is Jerez where racing against each other to test passing is planned. Already Christian Klien feels it’s already easier to close in on the front car because the smaller rear wing produces less turbulence. Along with this the very wide front wing (shovel) makes the car more stable. Now add on slicks and you have a grippier car in slow speed corners.
It’s still incredibly early, but it sounds like the team are once again on a road for success heading toward next season.