Renault considers using KERS at Monza

The Renault team admits that the integration of KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) in English or SREC (Système de Récupération d’Energie Cinétique) in French, on its cars, could be a wise decision before the Italian Grand Prix. The French brand believes that the characteristics of the Monza circuit could be perfect for optimal functioning of the device.

With Spa this weekend and Monza in a fortnight, the two races will be the last of the season in Europe. With two long straights and other fast sections separated by slow chicanes, Bob Bell believes that KERS could be very effective.

« We regularly add new developments, and for the next two races, we will use a low downforce aerodynamic package on the car. As for the KERS, we do not plan to use it at Spa but we are considering it for Monza, as we believe it will bring a real advantage there », explained the team’s technical director.

The system works by collecting kinetic energy from the car’s active engine during braking or simply without any action on the accelerator pedal. This energy is then converted by the KERS into an electrical state stored in a battery, before being converted back into kinetic form, providing an additional 80 horsepower for a total of 6.6 seconds per lap, either all at once or intermittently.

With the three chicanes of Monza, it would be ideal to recharge the system, and the practical straight lines for the deployment of power increase. Bell and his team will continue the analysis on site.

« Continuing the development of the R29 so late in the season, while also working on the R30, stretches our resources to the limit, » he admitted.

« We manage things week by week, and gradually the allocation of resources for next year’s car strongly pushes us in improving the R29. »