Red Bull to Use Renault KERS in 2009

Red Bull have decided not to use an in-house developed Kinetic Energy Recovery System ahead of their 2009 campaign inside the Formula 1 championship. Instead, Dieter Mateschitz's team are to turn to engine supplier Renault in order to secure a functional KERS unit for the next season. The news came earlier this weekend from former Red Bull driver David Coulthard during the Autosport International Show.

“Red Bull initially looked at developing its own system and then decided it would be economically better and more efficient to work with Renault,” revealed the former F1 veteran.

Red Bull will therefore benefit from the new technology as part of the engine package from French constructor Renault. However, Flavio Briatore's team are unlikely to start the new season with KERS, considering they are yet to test the new technology on track. Out of all F1 teams, only McLaren and BMW are likely to benefit from KERS in Australia, joined by Force India as official partners of McLaren Mercedes for 2009.

The Milton Keynes-based team has had plenty of problems developing their unit in the past. During a mid-July testing of the new battery, the local fire brigade was forced to intervene and evacuate the factory due to a system malfunction.

Red Bull have already received a boost ahead of their 2009 season, as the team is only the second outfit in the F1 paddock to benefit from a power boost this year. The FIA have granted Renault to pursue in developing their engine in such way that it will reach the same performance level as Ferrari, McLaren, BMW and Toyota in the upcoming season.