Renault was part of the F1 teams' group that insisted on delaying the new technology at least until 2010. The proposition was submitted within the Formula One Teams Association last year – ahead of the season finale – but needed an unanimous vote to go through. The only team that used its veto right to stop it was BMW Sauber, who have spent most of 2008 developing the new unit. The German team is believed to be way ahead of its F1 rivals in terms of KERS development.
However, Briatore argued that the money spent for this year's KERS unit will go down the drain in the long run, as the 2010 season might see the introduction of a standard KERS in Formula 1. So delaying the technology would have been the proper thing to do. Hadn't it been for one team...
“We have this situation because one team only was determined to take this programme. We know already for 2010 there is an option for a standard KERS - so whatever money we spend this year is for one year only. In this kind of environment it is completely unnecessary what we are doing. Plus, if you ask about performance - nobody knows. If you ask me, better with KERS or better without KERS? That is a big question mark,” said Briatore.
“But for sure BMW wanted to go to the end, so we had to follow that. It is difficult for us to have one competitor developing a programme and we are not part of it. We are talking about performance, but in this moment to support such a programme brings no good to anyone. What we know is we spend a lot of money for nothing. That is for sure,” concluded the Italian.
Last week, Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali also took a shot at BMW for not being in favor of KERS postponement when the idea was first submitted to the FOTA.
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