Williams to Sell KERS Technology

Although Williams F1 is yet to debut their Kinetic Energy Recovery System – probably in the Spanish Grand Prix – the team announced it may consider selling the technology to other teams, if offered the possibility. It's a well-known fact that the Grove-based team has chosen to develop a unique “flywheel” KERS, different to the electric-based versions built by the other outfits.

Frank Williams' team proceeded in taking the different approach after purchasing a hybrid power company later known as Williams Hybrid Power. The main advantage of this unit – over the other teams using electric KERS – is that it's not prone to battery fires or electric shocks, therefore ensuring a higher level of safety for both drivers and mechanics.

Adam Parr, chief executive of Williams F1 Team, admitted the company is looking into developing the unit furthermore, in order to serve the automotive industry. The Williams official admitted the decision to look at a wider picture (as compared to only using it in grand prix racing) when talking about KERS was a consequence of the economic crisis worldwide.

“We are also looking at commercial applications for that technology. We are trying to diversify our business a little bit,” revealed Parr in an interview for Malaysia's newspaper Star.

When deciding upon the introduction of KERS in Formula 1, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) aimed at further developing the technology in the upcoming few years in order to serve the automotive industry. According to FIA's president Max Mosley, the international body is also considering other ways of energy-recover systems in the near future, based on exhausts and even cooling system.