New KERS system to blame for shock accident

A BMW Sauber mechanic suffered a major electric shock as the team started testing its Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) on the first day of testing at Jerez in Spain.

Test driver Christian Klien was sent out to complete three laps with the KERS device in place before returning to the pits. When Klien’s car returned, mechanics moved towards the car but the first team member to touch the sidepod received an electric shock which saw him fall to the ground in pain.

After being helped to his feet, the mechanic was taken to the medical centre before being released - he suffered minor injuries to his left arm and grazing on his left hand. BMW immediately halted testing for the day.

This isn’t the first KERS-related incident in F1. The local fire department was called to Red Bull’s UK headquarters last week when the team was testing the energy-recovery system that is set to debut in F1 next season.

KERS = jinxed.