Minimum car weight to rise next season

As expected, the minimum weight of cars has been raised to cater for the addition of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) in 2010. As the relatively heavy device was introduced this year, a reoccurring issue has seen drivers having to shed weight in order to avoid compromising on-track performances.

With the KERS mechanism usually weighing in between 30 and 40 kilogrammes, the extra weight on cars has forced competitors using the system to lose body weight in a jockey-like fashion in 2009, causing a number of health worries amongst drivers; F1 governing body the FIA acknowledges this and has therefore changes the minimum car weights to 620kg for the new season.

KERS will remain fully permitted in technical regulations although the Formula One Teams Association (FOTA, which includes all current teams apart from Williams and Force India) has already agreed to call time on the device.

Source: GP Update