Could KERS penalise good drivers??

[telecat]

So you brake heavily all the time to get the "boost" off the corners "KERS" creates. So all the "Smooth" drivers are penalised??

[otolith]

As a first approximation, it shouldn't make any difference. The energy recovered should depend on the difference in speeds at the start and end of braking, not on how smoothly they get on and off the brakes. In practice, getting the best out of it might need a change in driving style depending on the characteristics of the systems, but I'd have thought the better drivers would generally be better able to adapt.

[zac510]

They're all good drivers..

[jacobyte]

The good drivers would arguably be better at using it more to their advantage. Therefore it could actually penalise the not so good drivers.

Either way, it's sad that F1 is being forced to use such weak gimmicks by the FIA.

[OJ]

I disagree, I'm quite fascinated by how they're going to employ the technology to an effective level. Some have spoken of electrically accelerated flywheels in vacuum chambers running at over 100,000rpm... but then I am an engineer, so I am inclined to find things interesting that no-one else gives a crap about

[jacobyte]

Sorry, I wasn't having a pop at the technology; that is indeed fascinating. But translating it into a 3-times-per-race "boost" button is what I have an issue with.

[PhillipM]

telecat said:

So you brake heavily all the time to get the "boost" off the corners "KERS" creates. So all the "Smooth" drivers are penalised??

Not really, because they system can't be 100% effiecent, so you'd have to scrub more speed off than a rival to get more of a boost, which is kinda counterproductive...

[LocoBlade]

Also there's a limit by regulation to the amount of energy and F1 KERS can store so unless you have a really inefficient system, its not going to take every last bit of braking energy per lap to charge it to capacity. I guess it could slightly affect how quickly it recharges having been exhausted but I can't see it being a significant factor.

[Jungles]

telecat said:

So you brake heavily all the time to get the "boost" off the corners "KERS" creates. So all the "Smooth" drivers are penalised??

Doesn't work that way. The level of kinetic energy transfer is the same, whether you brake lightly or heavily, as it depends on the magnitude - not the rate - of kinetic energy loss of the car. (I know that's a massive simplification, but we're not all physicists here.)

Even if I'm wrong, drivers are already braking at the limit of traction, so they'd be fools to try braking even more.

And as others have said, the system is not 100% efficient. You'll get better results by conserving the cars momentum, not wasting it.

Edited by Jungles on Thursday 7th August 05:26

[skinny]

it won't make a difference - it will take away from the braking effort on the rear axle. the difference in driving styles isn't going to change enough between drivers to make a difference in the rate or amount of energy storage.