Teams call for KERS in 2011

KERS is almost certain to be back in Grand Prix racing in 2011, at the behest of the teams.

The technology has remained in the FIA regulations this season, but it has not been employed after the teams came to an agreement not to use it. The consensus now, however, is that it provides the manufacturers with a green angle with which to justify their involvement in the sport.

It is also seen as a potential benefit for the racing, with suggestions that drivers will be able to use it more often on a lap than in 2009, or will be required to engage it 15 seconds before its use, so that a rival won’t be able to react defensively.

The smaller teams are concerned about the cost implications, but Renault has said it will sell its system at an agreed price.

“I think F1 needs to be a little bit greener, and we maybe need to be closer now to the technology of the road cars,” team principal Eric Boullier told Motor Sport. “Everybody is talking about hybrid cars. We have spent a lot of money to develop KERS, and for me it’s stupid to have it somewhere in the factory and not on our cars.

“The second thing is that at Renault there is marketing interest to run some hybrid technology on an F1 car, so this is why we strongly support it. The final thing is the FIA is very keen as well.”