The FOTA wishes to abandon KERS in 2010

The FOTA (Formula One Teams Association) encourages the sport’s governing bodies to completely abandon KERS for next year. It acknowledges that the technology is now too expensive and therefore must be abandoned.

After a limited introduction of the kinetic energy recovery system in 2009, team directors voted in favor of its complete abandonment next year due to the excessively high cost.

This abandonment is not unanimous because BMW-Sauber was advocating for the system, but the majority prevails within FOTA.

BMW Motorsport director, Mario Theissen stated: « We voted in favor of KERS, but with all the other decisions made so far by FOTA, we will go with the majority. »

Although KERS is currently mandatory in 2010 according to technical regulations, there is no rule as of today forcing teams to introduce it. At the Turkish Grand Prix, only McLaren and Ferrari had the device.

Even if the FIA refuses to change the regulations to ban KERS, the FOTA’s agreement would be sufficient for the technology not to be used.

Ferrari’s team principal, Stefano Domenicali, stated that even though his team has invested a lot of time and effort in developing KERS, he believes that the decision to abandon it is the best one that could be made.

When asked on Sunday night if it was true that the teams worked to have it removed, Domenicali said: « Yes. Regarding the discussions we had within the FOTA, we are talking about cost savings for the new teams. »

« We are the only ones with McLaren who really use it. We have invested a lot in the system, and we have always said that it is difficult for fans to understand why some cars have KERS and others don’t. Logically, it is better not to have it. »