Marussia have revealed that they will have KERS for the first time next season, with the team to use the system developed by Williams.
Team will race a Williams energy storage device for the first time
Marussia have revealed that they will use KERS for the first time next season, with the team to run the system developed by Williams.
The Banbury-based outfit, along with fellow backmarkers HRT, are the only teams on the grid currently not using the energy-recovery devices on their cars, fellow third-year outfit Caterham having raced with a Renault system for the first time in 2012.
But with the team aiming to make progress up the grid next year, Marussia's Technical Consultant Pat Symonds has confirmed that they have agreed to use a development version of the KERS system currently raced by Williams over the last two seasons.
"Yes we will be using KERS next year," he said.
"We plan to adopt the system that has been developed by Williams, which was used by them with the Cosworth engine last year and is currently with their Renault-engine car.
"Our 2013 unit is a development of this. We've been very impressed with the engineering, the efficiency and the weight. Williams are also a pleasure to work with both technically and commercially.
Williams used the same KERS in tandem with a Cosworth engine in 2011 and Symonds also confirmed that Marussia would stick with the Northampton-based engine supplier into next season.
"We will continue with the Cosworth engine," he said.
"We are happy with the work we are doing with them and I think that we are working together to try and improve the areas that we are able to under the regulations. We are concentrating on improving the driveability of the engine and enhancing its performance as a unit with the car."
Former Renault engineer Symonds, who initially joined the then Virgin-branded outfit in a part time capacity 18 months ago, has overseen a significant overhaul of the way Marussia design and develop their race cars this season with the team having initiated a wind tunnel programme for the first time as part of their technical tie-up with McLaren.
The Englishman says that improving the team's aerodynamic capabilities remains the main focus, while ensuring they get on top of KERS over the winter will be another key to progress next season.
"We need to improve in all areas. A team is only as good as its weakest part, so we need to bring everything on together. But in terms of performance our primary target is to improve the aerodynamics of the car," Symonds added.
"I'm very pleased with the progress we've made aerodynamically in the last few months and I have every reason to believe we can continue that.
"Our aim for 2013 is to build on this strong foundation as we expand our aero department to try and bring yet more performance to the car, while at the same time not neglecting the mechanical aspects. We are also faced with getting KERS working well and understanding all the nuances of that and how to go racing with it. There are therefore many areas where I think we can make substantial improvements through the course of 2013."
