F1 moves toward hybridization

An FIA proposal for kinetic energy recovery systems in 2009 racecars is intended to make the series more relevant to road-car development.

With the start of the 2008 Formula One (F1) season, and this year's cars development programs well under way, the R&D departments of the teams are starting to take note of two radical regulation changes for 2009. Aerodynamically, the 2009 cars will be very different as a result of changes to reduce the downforce by half, rid the cars of all the aerodynamic appendages that they have grown in the last few years, and try to improve overtaking by reducing their effect on a following car. These regulations are the product of an FIA (Fédération Internationale de 1' Automobile) Overtaking Working Group, staffed by Rory Byrne of Ferrari, Pat Symonds of Renault, and Paddy Lowe of McLaren-Mercedes-some of the most experienced engineers in the business.

At the same time, the mechanical engineers have a whole new technology to address called KERS (kinetic energy recovery systems). From the start of 2009, F1 cars may be fitted with a system to recover energy under braking from the rear wheels at a maximum rate of 60 kW, store it, and return it under acceleration, again at a maximum rate of 60 kW. The maximum amount of energy that may be returned in a single lap is 400 kJ, i.e., 60 kW for 6.7 s.