BMW gives up on KERS for the remainder of the 2009 F1 season
After using its KERS hybrid system on and off through the first half of the 2009 Formula One season, the BMW-Sauber team has decided enough is enough. The team will shelve the system through the remainder of the year while it focuses on aerodynamic development. In spite of the utter lack of success using the kinetic energy recovery systems this year, team boss Mario Theissen said the development process has actually be useful for the company's production hybrids. Lessons learned in developing the electric hybrid system on the race cars has been transferred to engineers working on the upcoming 750h mild hybrid and X6 two-mode hybrid.
BMW isn't totally giving up on the system though, having voted to retain KERS for future seasons. Under the current rules, there is not enough performance benefit from KERS and Thiessen says that unless KERS is mandatory for all cars, it will likely be dropped by all teams.
[Source: F1-Live]
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