Dec.10 (GMM) Niki Lauda has voiced support for the majority of formula one teams that would like to postpone the introduction of expensive energy-recovery 'KERS' technology in 2009.
In the wake of Honda's exit from the sport for financial reasons, Mercedes' racing chief Norbert Haug said an immediate way to slash engine budgets by "at least 25 per cent" would be to call off the KERS implementation.He is not alone in his belief, following several attempts at FOTA meetings this year for an unanimous vote to delay the technology.It is believed the subject will again arise during the team alliance's meeting with Max Mosley in Monaco on Wednesday, but BMW-Sauber is staunchly using its veto vote to insist that the KERS debut remain on track.Lauda, a former team boss and triple world champion, said the current conditions makes plugging ahead with KERS illogical."The current topic is, for reasons of cost-cutting, using the engines now for three or four races (instead of two)," he said in interview with the German language sports magazine Kicker."At the very same time every team is in the middle of an incredibly difficult development phase, spending 20 or 30 million each, on gaining 80 horse power for a few seconds per lap," Lauda added.FIA president Max Mosley, however, said KERS would be "the last thing" he would abolish, insisting that expensive technologies like seamless gearboxes, lightweight materials and ultra high-revving engines do nothing for the sport.
