Formula One news

Toyota expects no problems with KERS systems

The Toyota Formula 1 teams has not planned any on track testing with the team's KERS system the team revealed on Tuesday. Last week the BMW Sauber F1 team was the first F1 team to test KERS on track. Toyota is still working hard in the team's factory and won't get out on track until the team is certain the system is completely safe.

"We are working flat-out to develop and improve our KERS system," Toyota's senior general engine manager Luca Marmorini said. "We have investigated various options and now the challenge is to refine the system before we run it in a car for the first time. At this stage our development has been completely based at the factory, rather than the race track, because 95% of KERS development can be done on the KERS simulation dyno. The 2009 regulations mean the TF109 will be quite different to the TF108 so we see little advantage in testing KERS on the track at this stage.

When asked if Toyota has already scheduled a day on track with the KERS system Marmorini said: "We have not set a date for this as it will depend on our development progress in the factory. We will run KERS in the car only when the system has met our stringent requirements for performance and safety.

Even though last week's test in Jerez saw a BMW Sauber mechanic got shocked by the team's car, running with a KERS system on board, Toyota believes the KERS system is absolutely safe. Marmorini explained: "Hybrid systems in Toyota road cars are proven to be safe and reliable, that is beyond doubt, so the technology is not a problem. We are in the development stage of KERS in Formula 1 and we will not use the system in the car until we are sure that the highest safety standards have been met. Safety is the priority for Toyota."

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