Additionally, the Italian official confirmed that the minimum weight limit for the 2011 challengers will rise from 620 to 640kg next year, in order to incorporate the technology. Just like in 2009, the unit will not be compulsory, as the teams are likely to wait until the new engine regulations (2013) to make a final decision on KERS.
“The teams have agreed on that. We would have preferred to see a solution with much more energy being available (to KERS), but unfortunately an agreement could not be found,” said Domenicali, hinting that Ferrari pushed for a higher output of the units for 2011. However, that would have created a too bigger gap between the teams using KERS and the ones who are likely to give up the benefits of the technology in 2011.
Additionally, the new KERS unit – which is likely to run smoother in 2011, as the teams had plenty of time to develop the technology – will come with adjustable rear wings, in order to boost overtaking.
Ferrari's asking for higher outputs from the 2011 units was turned down by the other teams, as their existing KERS have already been developed for a lower output level. However, it is expected that the unit will produce more power for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
While Ferrari have already committed to a KERS powered challenger for the 2011 season, Mercedes GP are still in doubt, with team boss Ross Brawn confirming the Brackley based organization will take up to one and a half months to figure out its plans for the upcoming campaign.
“We will make a decision (about KERS for 2011) within four to six weeks,” said Brawn, who is also the technical chairman of FOTA.
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