Ferrari 'struggling' with KERS development

Ferrari's engine technical director Gilles Simon says the Italian squad are struggling with the development of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System.

KERS will be introduced in Formula One next season, but some teams have been having a hard time with the initial development and some doubt it will be ready in time for the start of 2009.

Simon backed the view that it is unlikely all teams will have a reliable system at the start of the season, and the Frenchman admitted his own team are struggling to come to grips with it.

"The Kinetic Energy Recovery System is a complex subject, which finds us dealing with a lot of new and complicated areas, while ensuring that we still devote all necessary efforts into continuing our usual development programme on the current year car," said Simon.

"It will be really challenging to run this system next year. We are learning every day, but we are struggling and I think that all teams will struggle to run the new system reliably right from the opening race of the 2009 season.

"Next year, with KERS as well as the other rule change allowing the use of an electronic front flap adjuster (on the front wing,) electronics will play a very big role and the common ECU will have to be fully understood in order to operate these new elements successfully."

Simon also told Autosprint magazine that he thought not all teams will benefit from the use of KERS equally.

"Managing to recharge the system under braking shouldn't be taken for granted," he said. "Just like the system's reliability shouldn't be taken for granted. Same goes for that 80-BHP figure seen in the race, will that be the same at the end of the race?

"Those who get the project right will have an enormous advantage on their hands."

autosport.com