Fernando Alonso was unimpressed with the performance of his KERS system in Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard's Renault was one of just seven cars fitted with the controversial new energy re-use technology in Melbourne.

"It was not very useful," he told Spain's AS sports newspaper. "In terms of lap time we knew it doesn't give us an advantage, but I used it when I was right behind Glock - without a KERS - and the truth is that it was no help at all."

"At this circuit there was no benefit," Alonso added. "But let's see what happens at tracks with very long straights, like Bahrain, or Monza. "

However, Toyota's Timo Glock reported during the race that he was unable to pass Alonso's Renault because the Spaniard kept using his KERS system to reopen the gap between them.

"It was difficult to overtake," said Glock, whose car was not KERS-equipped in Australia.

D.B. © CAPSIS International
Source: GMM

 

Well, wasn't the whole idea that the performance gain was basically offset by the weight of the system? Makes sense to me that a non KERS car (lighter -- all else being equal w/ fuel load, etc.) would be able to hang with a KERS car unless on a long straight.

 

agreed, however much like everything in F1 it'll be developed through out the season until it is much better

 

I'll try to find my source but I read somewhere that some teams have a lighter car then the min-limit so they had to buff the weight up with their KERS systems. Fully working or not . I would rather have a 650kg car with KERS then a 650kg car without KERS, thats for sure.

 

True that. I was hoping it'd be more interesting to see which cars were using KERS during the race, but it was pretty hard to tell other than the commentators noticing the weird sounds some of the cars made.

 

Bottom Line: Kubica without KERS damn near won the race and had the fastest car on the track for much of it.

Now if he could just trim some weight out of that epic nose he would run away with the title.

 

Regarding the cars that were under the minimum weight: What that allows the team to do is add more weight in the section of the car that needs it. This will correct the cars balance that the Kerrs system messed up and still be able to meet the minimum weight requirement.

 

^^ yep. That and their fat asses

Theissen stated: "The minimum weight of 605kg stipulated for the cars in the regulations includes the driver.

"The difference between the actual weight and minimum weight is levelled out by positioning ballast around the car to optimum effect.


Formula One has taken on the role of technology accelerator for series production cars of the future

Mario Theissen
BMW Sauber team boss

"Traditionally, this means that a heavier driver has been at a disadvantage as he has had less ballast to balance out the car. Using the Kers will further reduce - by the weight of the system - the amount of ballast available.

"In order to prevent F1 from becoming a jockeys' competition, we are pushing for an increase of the minimum weight in the future."

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Renault commit to F1 Kers system

 

LMAO well Lewis looks the part