• 2011 season

KERS being considered for 2011

KERS is back on the agenda © Sutton Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News:
• Moves grow for KERS comeback
  

• Drivers:
• Ross Brawn
• |
• Martin Whitmarsh
• |
• Sir Frank Williams

Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS) could be brought back to Formula One next year to spice up the show.

Although the regulations still allow teams to use KERS this year, there is a gentleman's agreement between the teams not to, mainly to reduce costs. However, the reintroduction of the technology has been central to this weekend's Formula One Teams' Association meetings and the issue will continue to be debated at the Spanish Grand Prix next month.

Alongside the cost of KERS, the fact that it was not compulsory, and the questionable advantage of carrying the heavy units that can only be deployed a few seconds per lap at 400 kilojoules also led to it being abandoned. Already on the table to address some of these problems is that the systems will be more powerful, developed by a single supplier and run by all the teams. Another suggestion is that its usage would be limited to a certain number of button presses per race, in order to aid overtaking.

Reports have said Renault is keen for KERS to return, but perhaps with its own system, while Mercedes' Ross Brawn said the debut of a new engine formula for 2013 is a complication.

"We would prefer to look at something that is planned and integrated with the new powertrain in 2013," he said.

Sir Frank Williams, although concerned that accommodating KERS alongside the new big fuel tanks will make the cars "longer than a London bus", commented: "There's general agreement it should have a place in Formula One. I believe it should be compulsory or not at all. It's appropriate if it's not too expensive."

And McLaren's Martin Whitmarsh added: "A lot of the teams couldn't afford KERS next year, the majority couldn't. We need to find something that is affordable."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.