Shocking

The FIA's introduction of the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, or KERS, is not going as smoothly as expected especially after a BMW mechanic received an electric shock from one during testing in Jerez, Spain earlier today, the mechanic only suffred an injury to his left arm.

The KERS system which is basically a new boost system that is powered by heat will be introduced to Formula 1 in the 2009 season,but there are still some bugs to work out though. Big bugs. The incident at Jerez isn't the only problem teams have had. Red Bull Racing last week had to evacuate part of their faclitiy after a battery test of the KERS system went horribly wrong. The teams are now very concerned about introducing the KERS system with all that issuses that have devleoped.

Toyota team boss John Howett spoke to autosport.com in Hockenheim about the issues: "I think all of these issues have been on the table from the beginning. So you have voltage issues, you have the battery issues; you have the cost of registering the batteries to transport them. People who use high-speed rotating flywheels have also got issues there.

"The perception of KERS is very simple, but the execution is incredibly difficult and the road car applications are completely different from a race car. Whereas the motor, the control unit, the battery, and the basic concept is similar, the actual sophistication and needs of a road car are completely different from what we are having to develop in Formula One. So there is a big difference"

Lets just hope that these problems get fixed before somebody becomes a roast duck.

BMW Mechanic Escapes KERS Scare [Autosport.com]

BMW and Honda ask FIA to act on split fears

Two teams in Formula 1, BMW-Sauber and Honda, have asked the FIA to calm fears of a possible split within the governing body over Max Mosley's win in the confidence vote faced earlier this week. Some of the teams feel upset over the decision and are threatning to leave the FIA if Mosley continues to serve as FIA President.

BMW Motorsport boss, Dr. Mario Theissen was the first to chime in on the subject: "We respect the decision of the FIA, but it is now a very critical situation for the FIA - between it and its membership clubs. And apparently this does not only affect the FIA, but also external partners like the car industry or motorsport. But none the less, only the FIA can solve this situation. So we respect the decision and now we have to see how it develops."

"I think it depends on what goes on in the coming weeks, within the FIA. It is quite critical. But what we will see now, is that this controversial situation between the FIA and the membership clubs will certainly make people aware of the fact that the FIA is not in the first instance motorsport. It is in the first instance a worldwide body for the motoring clubs."

"We expect that the FIA as a body sticks to its role and handles it professionally, which means governing motorsport - governing F1 and the other series," Theissen added. "We also expect the current initiatives of cost reduction and introduction of future technology to be carried on and to be really put in place."

Honda boss Nick Fry agreed with Theissen's views on the matter and hope that these shenanigans would end quickly.

"We recognise that the FIA reached its decision following due process," Fry said. "However, the reaction of motoring clubs around the world demonstrates a genuine concern about the extent to which the President of the FIA is able to carry out his role following these events. Despite the strong contributions Max has made to the sport, we share this concern and we would wish to see a speedy end to the current instability."

I hope so too.

BMW, Honda urge FIA to act on split fear (Autosport.com)

Quick Nick not living up to his name

What in the Wide World of Sports is up with Nick Heidfeld lately? A guy I considered to be fighting for some wins this season has really fallen off the radar lately. He's making me regret coping his trademark neck-beard. But seriously what has happened to the young German?

BMW's motorsport director, Dr. Mario Theissen, may have an answer in what is wrong. Apparently, Heidfeld has been having troubles in warming up his tires which is costing him dearly come qualifying. But Thiessen putting that doctor title to good use says that he and the BMW-Sauber team have figured out Nick's problem and hope to have him in fighting condtion real soon.

"We have to make a joint effort to help him overcome this situation as quickly as possible," Theissen told his team's official website. "He has significant difficulties getting the tyres up to working temperature for a fast lap.

"While Robert only encounters first hints of this problem, Nick is already in massive difficulties. This is a situation we have witnessed throughout the season. However, as soon as his tyres are warm, the problem is history.

"Nick fully immerses himself in the technology and tackles the situation. He is going to analyse the issue together with our engineers. I hope that we will quickly succeed in isolating the cause.

"We have to discover if there is a factor which represents a bigger obstacle for Nick than for Robert, a task that will require a lot of fine-tuning."

Theissen is encouraged by the fact that the team helped Kubica overcome similar difficulties he had last year - when Heidfeld outshone him for much of the year.

"In 2007 Robert encountered a similar low. Together we analysed the situation and defined remedy measures. And we did so successfully.

"Nick will return to the road to success, we are fully aware of his true competitiveness. I have often watched him under pressure and in these situations he delivers at his very best. I know that he has what it takes to cope with the pressure and to analyse the technology. These are two crucial basic requirements for solving the problem."

Well I hope Nick can get back on track soon or I'll be shaving real soon.

Thieissen: Hiedfeld will overcome problems (Autosport.com)