Ferrari claims BMW blocked KERS deferral
Ferrari boss Stefano Domenicali has named BMW as the obstacle to deferring KERS technology in Formula 1.
The Maranello based team has been perhaps the most vocal opponent of the controversial energy reuse technology, but most teams actually wanted to delay the voluntary deployment for another year.
In the F1 teams’ alliance FOTA, however, total unanimity is necessary for measures to be adopted immediately.
“We specified that resolutions must be reached unanimously,” Domenicali confirmed at the Madonna di Campiglio ski event in the Italian Dolomites.
“But sometimes you have to compromise as well,” he is quoted as saying by the German news agency SID. “Everyone could accept that, except BMW.
“Only if we all work together will the future of F1 be rosy, rather than dark, as we are experiencing now,” Domenicali charged.
He insists that the track debut of Ferrari’s KERS on Monday went well, “however it is the wrong moment to introduce such a complex system”.
“It has nothing to do with Formula 1. A lot of money has been thrown out of the window,” Domenicali added.
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Question - If the shoe was on Ferrari’s foot, would they have agreed to defer kers?
Answer - a definitive NO.
Enough said. Get to work Stefano and stop winging and complaining like a…
Domenicali sounds hassled, BMW stood up to him, Good. Personally I love technological developments in F1 and feel that KERS does have a place in F1, if BMW feel that they are ready to deploy KERS this season then why should they vote to delay. If ferrari aren’t up to speed then its ferraris problem. It is something different in terms of development but is totally relevent given the world we live in today, F1 has some of the worlds greatest engineers and designers so its is very right that the sport looks at ecological improvements. And i think its in poor taste to complain about the money being “thrown away” when we are all aware of the financial “benefits” that ferrari enjoy.
This is ********. The idea of KERS was introduced long enough ago for all the teams to get a grip on it so blaming BMW Sauber for blocking something they’ve already splashed loads of cash on is a utter joke.
a joke indeed.
It’s not BMW’s fault that Ferrari were so competitive they chose to concentrate on developing the F2008 to the very last moment, whilst BMW began work on the KERS-equipped 2009 car earlier.
Besides, at least this way teams like BMW can actually put the money they’ve spent on KERS to good use. Spending time developing it and then just not using it would also be throwing money out of the window. If Ferrari don’t want to spend any more money on it then don’t use/develop it, it’s not mandatory.
Also, I seem to remember Ferrari being pretty good at blocking/reneging/vetoing team agreements in the past, notably on things like testing, because Ferrari had the advantage of a second test-track facility. Swings and roundabouts really.
Good on BMW I say…and as for Stefano, he should put his bottom lip away and get on with the job of leading Ferrari back into one of their barren spells…
I can certainly understand BMW’s position on this and would not criticise them, but at this time of cutting costs is it not now clear that KERS is very expensive, not certain to improve racing, and of little to no value to road cars? It seems like a bit of a misfire with regard to keeping costs down.
That’s because Ferrari are not up to date with the KERS system that they have to complain like b******. Though I reAlly hope Ferrari are able to have a competitive car next year so kimi can win! Go KIMSTER!!!!!!!
You know when you cram the night before an exam….you don’t really do as well as you might have done if you had more time to prepare for it. This is what may happen to ferrari. Stefano Domenicali knows this and he’s a bit worried by the sound of him. Snooz, you looz man!!!!!
:) 
I’ve written a follow-up article on this here: Ferrari and BMW’s clash over KERS could signal a threat to FOTA unity
So, let me get this straight. Ferrari is complaining about KERS being a waste of money - just because their system is supposedly less advanced than some of the competition - and as a result, wants the system to be delayed by a year just in time for the standardised KERS to step in, and waste all the teams money spent on the R&D?
Hello!! KERS isn’t mandatory! And also, if you’re struggling to develop your system, then just do what Red Bull did, and use another constructors system.
Some people may think that KERS is a bad idea. I, for one, don’t think it is, because it’s a remaining area where engineers can freely do their stuff. All other aspects are so restricted. But whether you agree with KERS or not, banning the system 2 months before it goes onto the track certainly isn’t cost effective. You made your bed, so now sleep in it.
KERS is definately the way to go, and all the time the Manufacturers can spend developing and refining it is going to be for the benifit of racing and road cars overall, and a company like FIAT ought to be able to spread the costs and the R&D between its different divisions - they ought to be looking at making KERS fitted Maserati GT cars and FIAT rally cars for example.
Since KERS is only voluntary for 2009, I am expecting most teams to be trying it out at some races, but using the standard engines just in case at others. We will see a big change for 2010, once everyone has got to grips with the technology. I just hope Max doesn’t decide to standardise the KERS manufacturer too….
arrogant Ferrari again.
I appear to dislike the team more and more these days.
Looks like we have a unanimous argument here!