KERS for Heidfeld, but not Kubica for Australian Grand Prix

[Year's_End]

KERS for Heidfeld, but not Kubica for Australian Grand Prix

Nick Heidfeld's BMW-Sauber F1.09, but not that of his teammate Robert Kubica, will be fitted with an active KERS system for the Australian grand prix weekend.

The news was confirmed not only by German Heidfeld, 31, but also his team boss Mario Theissen.

The reason for the split strategy is due to the weight of the drivers: while diminutive Heidfeld is perhaps the lightest in the entire 2009 field, Kubica - one of the tallest drivers - would have made his F1.09 ten kilograms overweight had he elected to run KERS.

"The regulations mean that heavy drivers are disadvantaged," Theissen said in Melbourne.

He added that he hopes an advantageous KERS solution will be able to be devised for Kubica, for deployment later this season.

Source: http://www.worldcarfans.com/9090326....ian-grand-prix

[gtaday51]

I never understood how the rules limit vehicle weight. Doesn't more weight mean a disadvantage?

[nmulax]

Are any other teams running KERS this weekend, or is Heidfeld it?
It'd be awesome to see Nick top last year's 2nd place by starting the season with him first top podium!

[E90SLAM]

Originally Posted by gtaday51

I never understood how the rules limit vehicle weight. Doesn't more weight mean a disadvantage?

the mimimum weight of the car plus driver is 600kg (605kg during qualify)....engineers can install ballast to maintain a good weight distribution but just over 605kg.....
for heavier (taller) drivers....the engineers has less flexibility to move ballast around to keep a good weight distribution....as well as KERS gives less flexibility.....

probably robert's car with KERS is already very close to the minimum weight....so the engineers are unable to balance the car out with very limited ballast available....so they set up the car without KERS and have approx 35kg of ballast on their disposal....

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by E90SLAM

the maximum weight of the car plus driver is 600kg (605kg during qualify)....engineers can install ballast to maintain a good weight distribution but just over 605kg.....
for heavier (taller) drivers....the engineers has less flexibility to move ballast around to keep a good weight distribution....as well as KERS gives less flexibility.....

probably robert's car with KERS is already very close to the minimum weight....so the engineers are unable to balance the car out with very limited ballast available....so they set up the car without KERS and have approx 35kg of ballast on their disposal....

Thanks for explaining that. Interesting.

[E90SLAM]

sorry...i do mean minimum weight (typo above)...everyone is going to keep their car and driver total weight "just above" that limit....