New look, technology for 2009 F1 season

BMW Sauber’s new car features large, wide and low front wing. The small, narrow and high rear wing is also part of the new specs.

Proposed changes range from the new make and look of every F1 car to the introduction of new technology to recover energy from the wheels.

Judging from the look of the recently tested supercar in the BMW Sauber stable, racing fans are in for a disappointment.

Even the F1 demigods are unhappy with the technology change. The influential Ferrari is suing for time over the F1 rulers’ decision to introduce the kinetic energy recovery system in the 2009 season, according to Planet F1, which quoted Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari president.

F1 will step into uncharted territories when KERS—which stores energy lost under braking and making it available as a boost for overtaking—comes into effect, Planet F1 said.

Ferrari, though, has revealed that they are running behind schedule with the development of their KERS.

Di Montezemolo insists he is not against the use of KERS, but believes it should only be introduced in F1 in four years’ time. “It’s not possible in one night to do everything. It’s a process. Year on year. The KERS is a mistake,” the Ferrari president is quoted on Autosport.

“Whatever we discover there is nothing in common between F1’s KERS and road car KERS.

“But for 2012 KERS can be an important part of a new package that addresses properly the environmental concerns. KERS is the biggest part of F1 spending for 2009.

“I’m not against the principle of KERS—it’s very important to put in front of the teams research that benefits the environment—but the way it is at the moment is a mistake,” di Montezemolo said. “It has to be a package looking ahead and we have three or four years to work on the whole engine/KERS package.”