Force India Unlikely to Use KERS in 2009

Force India are likely to scrap the Mercedes-built Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) in 2009, according to Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug. The German official revealed that he was not contacted by the Silverstone based outfit for the supply of KERS until now and believes the situation will remain the same until the season finale at Abu Dhabi.

“I do not know if they (Force India) want to use KERS this season,” Haug was quoted as saying by German magazine Auto Motor und Sport.

Race driver Adrian Sutil also admitted it would be too soon for Force India to implement the feature into their VJM02 in the German Grand Prix, at Nurburgring. Two weeks ago, it was team owner Vijay Mallya who confirmed his team will use KERS in Germany, as he then argued the technology “would have been sorted out by McLaren.”

“If the performance of the KERS teams is analyzed, it (KERS) seems to be no great advantage,” believes Sutil ahead of the British Grand Prix this weekend.

In the meantime, the Indian outfit seems more focused on their new aerodynamic package for Silverstone, as Mallya announced the VJM02 will feature several updates this weekend. A revised front wing, updated bodywork and modified floor are in place for the British Grand Prix, but other slight modification are also likely to appear elsewhere on the car.

The team's commercial director Ian Phillips also noted that Force India are currently focusing on “major aerodynamic updates” for the upcoming races, and will continue to place the 2009 aero package on top of their priority list for the remainder of the season.