“In terms of ultimate performance we don't feel it has earned its place on our car yet but that's not to say it will not do in the future. We retain a very open mind about KERS but at the moment there is no fixed date at which to introduce it,” said Horner.
If eventually deciding to use it, RBR will benefit from the KERS unit developed in-house by Renault. The Milton Keynes based team have announced that using the Renault KERS is part of the engine deal between the two companies, signed two years ago.
RBR driver Mark Webber recently argued that using KERS in 2009 will prove both inefficient and useless, as FIA is already planning to introduce a standard unit from 2010 onwards. Not only that, it seems the Formula One Teams Association will also try to push for a life ban of the KERS system, starting next season.
Toyota have already decided not to pursue the development of KERS through 2009, as it would not comply with the car maker's policy for road cars. Team president John Howett revealed earlier this year that the technology is not part of Toyota F1's agenda for the season, as it's both costly and inefficient.
FOTA is to meet on May 6, in London, to discuss a potential proposal to the FIA for the aforementioned ban. Until now, it seems only McLaren and BMW are against the idea, with Ferrari also expected to join them in the meantime. As argued by team boss Stefano Domenicali, the entire design of their Ferrari F60 is based on the KERS unit, so scraping it for the rest of the season is practically impossible.
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