BMW keen to be F1’s KERS supplier – report

(GMM) BMW is keen to become formula one's official supplier of KERS systems beginning next year, it is reported in the German specialist press.

With the FIA introducing voluntary deployment of the controversial technology this year, the F1 teams' alliance FOTA on Thursday said it harbors different plans for 2010.

The FOTA statement said a standard system will be put to tender "with a target price of 1-2 million euros per team per season" — a fraction of the money spent by teams on individual systems for 2009.

FOTA chairman and Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, a staunch opponent of KERS, said at the presentation that the technology is "the highest cost" in 2009 team budgets.

"It is not such an important element like the engine, like the gearbox, like aerodynamics. So we can have a standard KERS. It is like an electronic box, it is not a sexy box!" he said.

The FOTA alliance had earlier attempted to delay KERS deployment until 2010, but BMW exercised its veto to push ahead this year.

The German marque is now favorite to be awarded the tender for the role as official supplier, Auto Motor und Sport magazine claims.