KERS has mixed results in Formula One debut
Today's 2009 Formula One season opener in Australia marked the debut of kinetic energy recovery systems (KERS) in the sport. Unfortunately, this first use of the new hybrid drive systems had mixed results. Only seven of the twenty cars on the grid were running with KERS and, in qualifying, the top result was seventh position for Ferrari's Felipe Massa. The BMW team ran one car with KERS and the other without. Robert Kubica qualified fourth fastest in the non-KERS car while Nick Heidfeld was in ninth with the KERS enabled. Defending world champion Lewis Hamilton started the race in back in 18th place but managed to work his way up to third place at the finish, the best of the KERS equipped cars. As a street course, Melbourne has limited straights where the KERS boost could be put to use. As the series moves to faster circuits in the coming weeks, KERS could prove more useful.
[Source: Formula1.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mark3dyn 7:49PM (3/29/2009)
It seems pretty lame to me that they can only use 6 seconds of energy once per lap. Why not be able to charge and recharge as much as possible during the lap, or allow for complete de-coupling of the system to reduce drag? As long as a standard storage system is used, they should be even. I'm guessing most teams will drop it if they have the option. Obviously the lack of the system on the BrawnGP cars was not a problem.
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Architeuthis 12:13PM (3/30/2009)
Apparently the advantage using KERS is limited to be a little better than the weight disadvantage incurred. Since KERS is this year optional this is to provide incentive to develop KERS but not to render those who haven't gotten it to work yet uncompetitive. The idea is that as the KERS limitation is decreased over time this will allow for a smoother adoption curve.
You could argue that it's a bit late in the game. Williams and IIRC McLaren were starting work on something like this in the early 90's and when the FIA got wind of it they quashed it outright. But late is better than never.
Onlineo 5:18PM (3/29/2009)
It was a good race.
I think the top 2 cars could struggle without KERS when the rest of the field change rear diffusers to the new interpretation!
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jharlan 5:26PM (3/29/2009)
Sounds like the additional weight can't carry it's own load.
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Noz 5:45PM (3/29/2009)
Shocking! A new technology that has to iron out its kinks. Can you imagine?
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Chris M 6:43PM (3/29/2009)
It goes to show that the skill of the driver, and the engineering of the rest of the vehicle, still makes a big difference. KERS alone won't make a mediocre driver and car into a winner, but it could make the difference in a competition between highly skilled drivers in well engineered vehicles.
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Steve 11:16PM (3/29/2009)
What happened to the Williams flywheel system? I didn't seen any mention of it this weekend.
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@macdonmt 1:42PM (3/30/2009)
Williams is using the flywheel system, but I still don't see anything that says they used it down in OZ.
The big issue here is that the weight of the system (roughly 80lbs) is causing issues with handling and setup. With the change to slick tires, the car needs more weight upfront. Meanwhile, KERS adds 80lbs at the back, mid car at best. So the weight distribution is messed up from the start...
Currently most teams speculate a 0.3 sec gain per lap with KERS. But I see some issues with leaving it that simple. First off, if you miss the setup then you're talking about at least a 0.5 per lap loss... so +0.2 with KERS. Now, you can miss the setup without KERS as well, but it seems to be hindering the teams running it in their setups.
Second, with the new tire rules (and particularly the gaps between prime and option tires) there's a lot of room for error and over or under cooking tires. This means that if KERS gains you 0.3 per lap, but also helps you burn the tires, you can't sustain that advantage. You cook the tires, and then loose 4-5 seconds per lap (see "Nico Rosberg messes up my fantasy league"...).
Ultimately, it seems like in the current form having KERS can help if you're in front of another driver, but doesn't contribute to an overall lower race time (which, for those of you counting, is how you win races). It's a one lap wonder, and was definitely helpful in keeping competitors behind, but it wasn't such an advantage as to dominate the field.
To really make it better (and defacto-required), they need to increase the min weights to include KERS, and eliminate the button use. It shouldn't be a button for power, it should be available all the time, just like in road cars.
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