Ferrari, Renault to Sell 2011 KERS for EUR1m

The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA) met on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of returning the Kinetic Energy Recovery System into Formula One next year. Although the unit is allowed by the FIA for the ongoing campaign, the teams made a gentlemen's agreement at the end of last year not to use KERS in 2010, providing them an extra year of developing the technology.

According to Williams' Sam Michael, the teams are now ready to return KERS into F1, with Ferrari and Renault even willing to sell their units to smaller teams in exchange for one million euros. He did not mention anything about Mercedes and their KERS plans, but it is believed the German marque will provide its units for the teams with which it is currently under contract – McLaren, Force India and Mercedes' works team.

“Renault will supply anyone who asks for it on the grid. Ferrari will supply anyone who is running a Ferrari engine,” said Michael in an interview with the BBC.

The Cosworth-powered teams would therefore be covered by the development of the KERS unit, using Renault technology. All except for Williams F1 of course, who are developing an own mechanical flywheel KERS for 2011. The Grove based team recently became majority owner in their KERS company, purchasing an overall 78 percent of the shares.

There is however a twist in Ferrari's and Renault's decision to provide the other teams with the necessary units, as the two companies want to develop much powerful KERS as compared to the level seen in 2009. Otherwise, “they are not prepared at this stage to commit,” said a report from the GMM news agency.

Following the preliminary talks, Sam Michael admitted the opinions are still quite split within the teams' body, but said he expects an overall decision to be reached by the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona.

“I think that by Barcelona, the FOTA executive is due to try and make a decision on KERS for 2011. It's all pretty split at the moment on that,” said the Australian.