May 6 (GMM) While BMW drops KERS for Spain, Ferrari has confirmed that the controversial energy re-use technology will still feature on the F60 package this weekend in Barcelona.
Like BMW-Sauber, the famous Italian team is unveiling a major aerodynamic upgrade for the Circuit de Catalunya race.It is believed that, because BMW's upgraded F1.09 features notably smaller sidepods, there was no longer room for the existing KERS battery packs."We're working on a new solution," team boss Mario Theissen confirmed to the German press. "Anyway, for Monaco KERS is not really compatible, and afterwards in Istanbul we will come with a new package."We are putting the whole KERS concept under the magnifying glass again."He said it is unlikely that teams will abandon KERS altogether. "I am convinced that in the second half of the season the fastest car will have KERS," said Theissen.It is believed that Renault has also abandoned KERS at least for the next two races, but the same is not true of Ferrari, despite its major car upgrade."For us KERS is a clear advantage. We saw that with the comparison test in Friday practice in Bahrain," said Felipe Massa, to be one of just four drivers in Spain this weekend with an active boost button.Test driver Marc Gene, who shook down the 'B' Ferrari package at Vairano late last week, confirmed that KERS is still on board."We cannot just take it off the car," the Spaniard remarked to the sports daily Marca.To offset his KERS weight disadvantage, Kimi Raikkonen's F60 this weekend will be six kilograms lighter than his teammate Massa's. From Monaco, Massa will also have a version of the lighter chassis.
