Check out this very interesting opinion piece from the Autosport Plus content.

 

With more tech and more innovation, there are always things that can go wrong but look at Melbourne: Red Bull had the fastest car and the fastest driver without even using KERS. As long as the team doesn't fall apart if Mark starts feeling unfairly treated, I see RBR on par to win another WCC.

 

Can someone explain exactly what the KERS system in F1 is?

 

KERS stands for Kinetic Energy Recovery System

It is an electric generation, storage, and propulsion system which generates electricity during slow down, stores energy in batteries, and boosts acceleration with electric drive motors assisting the gasoline engine.

It is really just hybrid technology.

It captures energy that is let off from the brakes and converts it into a storage medium.

That energy is then used to charge a battery that gives the car an 85 hp boost for a short period each lap (currently 6.6 seconds) at the push of a button on the steering wheel.

It can be used in small spurts or all at once.

Once the boost is drained, it will not recharge until the next lap begins.

It is F1's way of trying to look like they care about the environment.

But it has proven useful as a racing tool as well under certain circumstances.

The energy boost is intended to aid a driver in overtaking another vehicle. But if that vehicle is also equipped with KERS, the driver can use that same power boost to accelerate away.

The problem is that it is REALLY expensive, used to be dangerous (although they have pretty much corrected this) and it adds an additional 60-80 lbs to the car.

So it is a trade-off. But F1 has pushed it to appease tree-hugging sponsors.

 

KERS is short for Kinetic Energy Recovery System. It takes the Energy that is lost under breaking due to heat and stores it in a battery. Whenever the driver wants an 80 HP boost, he pushes a button and takes the power from that battery. Hope that gives you a basic idea of KERS.

 

They need Lewis if they want to win

 

^^ Where in the bloody hell have you been!?!?

Great to see you in here brother.

 

Thanks Dana and SMY, I appreciate it. That seems like some cool tech and F1 is known for applying tech that'll later trickle down to road cars anyway. I don't see how the battery won't charge until the next lap. It should charge as soon as you use up the stored energy in a burst right? Even though another car that they're trying to overtake has this system also, you still have to use it at the right time. What I'm
saying is...there's still some strategy that you have to apply when using the system no?

 

The recharging period and limit is set by FIA regulations.

It forces you to use it wisely.

Right now, developing a KERS system costs about $75-$80 million - per car.

It will be a while for it to trickle down to road cars.

 

Thanks man!

I've been busy with work/school, but hopefully I'll have more time for TS.

8 days til Malaysia!