Magneti Marelli Slams KERS Costs Rules

Formula 1 teams have complained several times in the past that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) issues unclear technical rules at the beginning of each season, a situation that leads to controversial designs and suspicion within the paddock.

However, this latest piece of news is not related to the F1 teams, but to one of the suppliers of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) for the 2011 season of Formula 1. According to Magneti Marelli's motor sport director Roberto Dalla, the KERS rules are “written poorly” by the FIA in regards to the development costs for the unit.

“There is a poorly written rule,” said Dalla, whose company will supply the KERS technology to teams using Ferrari and Renault powerplants for 2011.

According to the current FIA rulebook, a KERS unit costs no more than EUR 1 million, while an additional EUR 4 million (maximum) can be used for the development of the system through the 2011 season.

“It was not clear whether this five million was for the global solution, or for each individual team. Maybe someone said it was a figure tied to the teams and, therefore, has set up their solution with 15 million,” he further explained.

Magneti Marelli will not be the only KERS supplier in F1 this year, as Mercedes will develop its own such technology for the teams it currently supplies engines to, namely Mercedes GP, McLaren Mercedes and Force India-Mercedes.