BMW abandons KERS for good

BMW-Sauber has decided to permanently abandon its KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), as the team believes it can improve its performance without the hybrid device.

The team based in Hinwil was the first to test the system last year, claiming that the technology was vital for the sport. However, it confirmed at Silverstone yesterday, Saturday, that the development and especially the use of KERS was stopping for good.

The team only used the Kinetic Energy Recovery System during the first four races of the season. Therefore, it has not deployed it since the Bahrain Grand Prix, choosing instead to focus on the aerodynamic evolution of the car introduced in Spain.

BMW Motorsport director, Mario Theissen, stated that the team spent the last few weeks assessing whether or not the KERS was useful, but in the end, decided to abandon it.

“We evaluated it and then carried out experiments with and without the KERS on board the car,” he explained.

« We have made significant progress in aerodynamics that does not adapt to KERS. We made the decision a few days ago to stop using KERS this year because we see more promising development from an aerodynamic perspective. »

With only three cars equipped with KERS at the British Grand Prix, namely the two Ferraris and Kovalainen’s McLaren, it must be acknowledged that the introduction of the technology is a flop.

Theissen does not seem to agree and explains: « I would not say that the technology is a flop, quite the opposite. Given the very short development time, it was an immense success, especially since our system works really well. We had no faults, even in Malaysia under torrential rains. »

« If you want to continue on the path of innovation, you must then fully concentrate on it. The system was not mandatory on board this season. And all the work undertaken will serve the automotive industry. »

« Our engineers from the R&D department are currently working to adapt it for city cars. We have learned a lot, the KERS is applicable not only to hybrid cars but also to electric vehicles, » continued the German.

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) recently proposed that KERS be removed next year. Therefore, there is very little chance that the technology will continue its path in F1.

Only the McLarens and Ferraris are now likely to function with it for the rest of the season. On this subject, Lewis Hamilton, driver for the Woking team, stated that he would no longer use the system. McLaren has decided to use the device on only one of its cars with Heikki Kovalainen.