Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari had to stay in the pits for over three hours on Tuesday because of a problem with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) during testing in Bahrain.
Force India have put on hold the new KERS system they had planned to introduce at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix, team owner Vijay Mallya said on Tuesday. The optional kinetic energy recovery system offers drivers a power boost at the push of a button but only a handful of Formula One teams have used it so far this season.
New car unveilings aren't the only happening thing that happened at the Beijing Auto Show.
After 29 false starts, the Vijay Mallya-owned Force India finally nixed the hoodoo and scored their maiden Formula One points with Giancarlo Fisichella finishing second in the Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday.
McLaren's Spanish reserve driver Pedro de la Rosa switched over to testing duties with the Force India Formula One team at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya on Tuesday. Force India this month agreed a five-year partnership deal with McLaren and Mercedes that will see them replace their Ferrari engines with a complete drivetrain (engine and gearbox) package next season.
With just five races to go before the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) becomes history, Force India Formula One team has closed that option, saying it is not worth the money or hassle. Force India chairman Vijay Mallya said introducing KERS at this stage would not only upset the car's balance but also burn a hole in his pocket.
Once hailed, now failed: Formula One's KERS kinetic energy recovery system appears to be surging towards the scrapheap at the end of the season. The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), whose eight members include all the manufacturer-owned teams, have agreed to jettison the system for 2010 even if it remains in the regulations as an option at present.
Once hailed, now failed: Formula One's KERS kinetic energy recovery system appears to be surging towards the scrapheap at the end of the season.
Australian Mark Webber led a Red Bull front row sweep on Saturday and denied team mate and Formula One championship leader Sebastian Vettel a fifth successive Japanese Grand Prix pole position in Suzuka.
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