Tech Issue KERSwatch I : Who'll be running KERS at Melbourne?

duke_toaster · 21 Mar 2009, 12:16 (Ref:2420899)

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/73818

So Ferrari are, as are Renault.

Will McLaren and BMW follow suit? I think so, but we'll have to find out.

Don't Force India use the McLaren unit - wouldn't they be guineapigs, perhaps? Do Brawn have a KERS system cooked up, or will they be running one from Woking that comes with the engine?

**Born Racer** · 21 Mar 2009, 12:46 (Ref:2420913)

BMW will be using their KERS system at the first race.

http://www.racecar-engineering.com/n...melbourne.html

I believe Honda may have had a Flybrid system in the pipeline, but that was shed a while ago. Brawn have so far said they have no plans to use a KERS this season.

Knowlesy · 21 Mar 2009, 13:31 (Ref:2420932)

Pretty sure McLaren are KERS ready.

They spent so much time working on it they forgot to make a chassis.

Marbot · 21 Mar 2009, 14:01 (Ref:2420963)

I would think that if Renault are KERS ready then RBR will also have had the decision made for them.

Daniel Pinnegar · 22 Mar 2009, 17:23 (Ref:2422098)

I know that Williams will be running the flywheel KERS but if they use it at the first race I don't know. All I know is that it's gonna be an interesting weekend!

zac510 · 22 Mar 2009, 17:45 (Ref:2422110)

Williams have already said they won't be using it at the first race.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

I would think that if Renault are KERS ready then RBR will also have had the decision made for them.

I can't imagine for a second that Renault would force RBR into using KERS.

Smokey 6 litre · 23 Mar 2009, 03:42 (Ref:2422415)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac510

I can't imagine for a second that Renault would force RBR into using KERS.

I agree, then disadvantages of Kers depend largely on the extra weight and how that affects your weight distribution. Renault could have a system ready but RBR may have a chassis and set up which is disrupted by the addition of Kers..

Marbot · 23 Mar 2009, 08:21 (Ref:2422493)

It could be a political decision.

Glen · 23 Mar 2009, 10:48 (Ref:2422588)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Pretty sure McLaren are KERS ready.

They spent so much time working on it they forgot to make a chassis.

He he.

Daniel Pinnegar · 23 Mar 2009, 15:00 (Ref:2422808)

I was just reading the online magazine, GPweek, and it said in there that the 3 teams that are definitely running it in Melbourne are Ferrari, Renault and McLaren.

http://mag.gpweek.com/

Marbot · 23 Mar 2009, 15:04 (Ref:2422811)

TBH I would find out how it goes in Friday practice before commiting myself to using it in the race.

ECW Dan Selby · 23 Mar 2009, 15:10 (Ref:2422813)

Yeh I was about to say, that's a little bit definitive, isn't it?

Some again maybe just throwing it out there to try and confuse competition? But at the same time, why would they bother lol

I'm really intrigued to see how effective this is. Also, how will it be conveyed graphically on screen? Much alike A1, do we think? Also, do you think we'll have graphics for the front wing adjustments? I know this is ever so slightly off topic, but the KERS is on topic

Selby

Marbot · 23 Mar 2009, 15:31 (Ref:2422827)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

I'm really intrigued to see how effective this is. Also, how will it be conveyed graphically on screen? Much alike A1, do we think? Also, do you think we'll have graphics for the front wing adjustments? I know this is ever so slightly off topic, but the KERS is on topic

The commentators have really got their work cut out for themselves this season.

And commentary on 'wing flaps' will probably be similar to that of an air-show I would think.

I'm also not too sure about all this 'interactive' stuff,maybe they'll be just too much of it ?

JeremySmith · 24 Mar 2009, 00:31 (Ref:2423222)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marbot

TBH I would find out how it goes in Friday practice before commiting myself to using it in the race.

If the teams don't know at this point how KERS will perform, then it's a little bit late...

Marbot · 24 Mar 2009, 00:45 (Ref:2423234)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

If the teams don't know at this point how KERS will perform, then it's a little bit late...

Which seems to be precisely the situation that some of them are in.

Kiwi3 · 24 Mar 2009, 07:44 (Ref:2423355)

Anyone know of how far in advance of a race weekend you would need to make a go/no go decision on it?

zac510 · 24 Mar 2009, 09:11 (Ref:2423406)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kiwi3

Anyone know of how far in advance of a race weekend you would need to make a go/no go decision on it?

I can only state for Toyota, who were quoted in Racecar Engineering magazine as having two monocoques/tubs: one KERS and one non-KERS. So this decision needs to be made before the race weekend for rule purposes and for fly-away races, decision needs to be made before the freight departs, for logistic reasons!

No other teams have said alything like this that I'm aware of, so this exact situation seems unique to Toyota's design rather than unique to KERS.

As most teams seem to have different fuel tanks, radiators, electronics and engine covers between KERS specifications they might still be making the decision before the freight departure even though the monocoques are compatible with either.

Glen · 24 Mar 2009, 09:58 (Ref:2423441)

They will know right now, before all the races have even started. It will all be simulated and calculated - at some circuits there might be an advantage, at others not.

Kiwi3 · 25 Mar 2009, 03:40 (Ref:2424148)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glen

They will know right now, before all the races have even started. It will all be simulated and calculated - at some circuits there might be an advantage, at others not.

I'm sure it's been simulated to death but surely there is also development work going on in factories that changes timelines and calculations.

Glen · 25 Mar 2009, 08:45 (Ref:2424257)

Well there might be I suppose, but no team is going to waste set-up time on a massive set-up change such as Kers or no Kers. Too many variables to weight distribution etc.

duke_toaster · 25 Mar 2009, 16:23 (Ref:2424550)

Lee McKenzie on Twitter on who will be running KERS

Quote:

BMW,maybe just 1 car,Renault,McLaren,Ferrari but I hear there may be some fireworks with Ferrari in next 24 hours!

Is that fireworks KERS related or something else? If it's one car would BMW give it to Kubica or Heidfeld as a guinea pig?

Glen · 25 Mar 2009, 16:32 (Ref:2424556)

Kubica is quite bit bigger than Heidfeld, so presumably Nick gets the Kers.

**Born Racer** · 26 Mar 2009, 09:35 (Ref:2425099)

I saw it said somewhere that it will just be Heidfeld using it.

Marbot · 26 Mar 2009, 13:32 (Ref:2425252)

So 'Quick Nick' gets a (supposed) advantage because Kubica is considered to be a bit of a 'Porker' ?

Glen · 26 Mar 2009, 13:37 (Ref:2425255)

He's not considered to be - he just is a lot bigger, and can't lose any more weight without becoming weak/unfit. Same with Webber - much reduced options for moving ballast around.

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