BMW grounds KERS for lack of show

Things aren’t looking good for the Kinetic Energy Recovery System’s (KERS) use in Formula One.

The BMW-Sauber team has just announced its decision to skip using the system for the rest of the races this season. Why? Because the team itself hasn’t had enough luck from using it.

That would be expected. With Formula One’s current rules governing the use of KERS, there isn’t much the system can do to boost the performance of the current cars. So, to avoid sinking further down the standings ladder, the team is sticking back to tradition.

But BMW-Sauber head honcho Mario Theissen says he does not plan on scrapping the system altogether. KERS development has been shifted to BMW’s production cars, in preparation for their upcoming models.

We’ll just have to see how the system turns out once it’s off the track and on the street. With all the hybrid car models popping up, the KERS would be quite appropriate.

But the question is, would drivers and mechanics be prepared for it? Working on a hybrid or electric car alone entails tons of precaution to prevent from shocking yourself to death. What more with a KERS system that involves much of a car’s drivetrain?

One thing is for certain, though. Cars are further becoming more than meets the eye.

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/22/bmw-gives-up-on-kers-for-the-remainder-of-the-2009-f1-season/