[DOF_power]

KERS ousted by FOTA for 2010





08 June 2009

The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has agreed to cease use of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) from next season onwards. The device, which gives drivers a power boost at the push of a button, has come under criticism since the beginning of the season due to its high weight levels and running costs.

KERS is set to go under wraps after just one year in F1


With a series of cost-cutting regulations being discussed amongst teams, all parties agreed to call time on the KERS system in meetings at Istanbul Park. The mechanism, which allows drivers an extra 80 horsepower for 6.6 seconds per lap, has come under fire because of its expensiveness, and is currently only being used by Ferrari and McLaren after Renault and BMW elected to drop the apparatus. "We have voted in favour of KERS but, as with all the other FOTA decisions so far, we will go with the majority," said BMW team principal Dr. Mario Theissen.

With the teams having agreed not to use this device in a further bid to lower the overall running costs of Formula One, KERS will not been seen next year whether governing body the FIA decides to allow the system or not. "We are the only ones - together with McLaren - who are using it," added Stefano Domenicali, team principal to Ferrari. "We have invested a lot and we always said that it is difficult for the supporters to understand why there are some cars with KERS and some cars without it; if you can have a total logical approach - if we are all together - it is better not to have it."