Fernandes questions the value of KERS
Tony Fernandes, the boss of the Caterham F1 team, believes that KERS does not bring enough to Formula 1 given its cost, especially for small teams.
The Team Lotus, which will become Caterham F1, has signed a partnership with Red Bull Racing to use its KERS starting in 2012. This will be the first time the Malaysian team will use the kinetic energy recovery system. If the team wants to join the competition with more “elite” teams, it must have KERS, but Tony Fernandes believes the system is not profitable because it is too expensive.
Fernandes also thinks that KERS does not contribute to the environment despite what may be said because the KERS in a Formula 1 car provides a power boost of 80 horsepower for about 6 seconds per lap – so it does not help reduce consumption.
«Before, there was talk of a million euros to use the KERS, but now we seem to be paying three to five million. For what? Our KERS doesn’t contribute anything to the environment, » said Tony Fernandes, as quoted by Auto Motor und Sport.
The boss of Caterham also believes that Formula 1 is still too expensive and that savings could be made in certain areas to make a season less costly than it currently is.
“There is still too much money being spent, especially in the wrong places,” added Fernandes.
