Mario Theissen: « An increase in car weight »

Mario Theissen, director of BMW Motorsport, believes that the minimum weight of a Formula 1 car should be increased in the coming years to improve the overall balance of the car.

Wishing to see BMW fight for the title this season, he explained how the introduction of KERS could hinder the proper balance of the single-seaters.

The system adds additional weight to the car, and this impacts the weight balance as well as tire wear. Therefore, we must decide on the advisability of using KERS on a race-by-race, driver-by-driver basis.

Heavier drivers could also find themselves at a disadvantage.

« The minimum weight of 605 kilograms, stipulated in the regulations per car, includes the weight of the driver, » continued Mario Theissen.

In order to compensate for the weight difference, additional ballast is used until the car weighs the determined amount. With a heavier driver, less ballast is needed, and thus the overall balance of the car can vary accordingly.

« Traditionally, this means that heavier drivers start with a disadvantage, » he explained.

The weight of the KERS may promote a reduction of the necessary ballast. Therefore, to prevent Formula 1 from becoming a jockey competition, we call for an increase in the minimum weight of the cars in the future.