The latest KERS news, with supermodel Miranda Kerr
KERS is dull, Miranda Kerr is not
Ferrari have yet to test KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) on a real circuit. Everyone thought that the Scuderia had already begun circuit trials of the new energy recovery system at Barcelona last week, when its F2008K development car showed off a new bump on the top of its right sidepod.
But Auto Motor und Sport claims that the sidepod bump contained nothing more than ballast and a cooling mechanism for KERS. The German magazine also predicts that Ferrari will finally test KERS for real at Jerez next month.
Few things stir Gridcrasher’s loins less than F1’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System. If you feel the same way, why not stare at this picture of supermodel Adriana Lima for a couple of minutes - it sure beats reading about KERS, a worthy but very dull thing.
If you’d rather find out about McLaren’s new KERS partner, read on (you crazy thing, you)…
McLaren has teamed up with Freescale Semiconductors, a “leading supplier of automotive semiconductors”. Freescale will help the F1 team develop its KERS system. That is all.
Exciting news, huh. Bet you wish you had chosen Lima instead.
Following “far-reaching analysis”, BMW Sauber claim the mechanic hospitalised after suffering an electric shock when he touched a car fitted with KERS was never in any serious danger. “The mechanic suffered an electric shock after touching the sidepod and steering wheel of the car,” said BMW’s Markus Duesmann.
“There was a high frequency AC voltage between these contact points, the cause of which has been traced back to the KERS control unit and a sporadic capacitive coupling from the high-voltage network to the 12-volt network,” he added.
“However, the energy is sufficient to cause an extremely painful reaction. The driver was insulated against the car by his racing overalls and gloves and therefore not in any danger.”
Some F1 teams may postpone the introduction of the controversial KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) after 2009. The new system is due to become a standard feature on cars next season, but teething troubles and high development costs are putting some teams off.
BMW Sauber (an electric shock) and Red Bull (an electrical fire) have both suffered KERS incidents in the last few weeks, with Toyota engine chief Luca Marmorini claiming that “all teams are having problems” with the system.
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.
