F1: New Scientist asks if KERS is safe
By LJ Hutchins
Saturday, April 4th, 2009
An article recently published in the respected New Scientist magazine asks if the KERS power boost system used by F1 teams for the first time this year is safe.
It highlights the fact that the advantages the system offers the sport including, energy efficiencies and more exciting racing, come at a cost that has been less widely-discussed, including the risk of battery fires, electrocution and flying debris.
Of course it is hardly the first to highlight the risks of KERS, with problems including the electocution of a BMW Sauber mechanic and a fire at Red Bull’s Buckinghamshire factory both widely-publicised.
A problem with this debate is the fact that it is very hard for Formula One fans who are not engineers to have an informed opinion about such issues.
Thus we think accessible sources of information such as this one are to be welcome, and we also think it’s well worth taking the time to read this article. We’re a little late to the party – it was published shortly before Melbourne – but that doesn’t make it any less worthwhile.
Related posts:
- F1: Jerez testing report 22/07/08
- F1: has McLaren traded apology for clearance to race?
- F1: What effect will a pull-out have in the UK?
- F1: How McLaren is tackling the 2009 rule changes
- F1: could McLaren really develop two separate cars?
Read more about Formula One, KERS.
This entry was posted on Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at 12:39 pm and is filed under F1, Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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Author: LJ Hutchins. Supports McLaren, kind of. Thinks James May gets a rough deal off the other two. Drives a Subaru Impreza but regrets its lack of bright blue paint and gold wheels. Is very nearly old enough to know better but probably never will. Is a supporter member of the BWRDC. LJ has written 1117 articles for us.
