KERS success could change F1 attitude (UPDATE 1)

FOTA teams have agreed not to race with KERS systems in 2010, but the breakthrough success of the energy recovery technology could result in a change of attitude, according to Mercedes' Norbert Haug.

The 'boost button' hybrids were recently dismissed as an expensive flop for Formula One and dropped by the BMW and Renault teams. Toyota, Williams, Brawn, Force India and the Red Bull teams never even fitted KERS to their race cars this year.

But at the Hungaroring last weekend, the only two teams that have persevered with KERS - McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari - finished first and second, in an historical first success for the technology.

So while KERS was previously written off, "it is now a different story", Haug is quoted as saying by formule1.nl.

"If KERS can help you win then it will be taken seriously," the German added.

Haug conceded that while FOTA's 2010 KERS ban will not be overturned, it is possible that other teams will fit the systems to their cars at some of the remaining seven races of this season.

Valencia, for example, is expected to be a circuit that - like Hungary - is a tangible advantage for the KERS teams.

It is not clear, meanwhile, whether expelled FOTA teams Williams and Force India, and the three new teams for 2010, will adhere to the KERS ban.

"We are not members of FOTA and thus strictly are not bound by their decisions," said a spokesman for Williams, who have been developing an unique flywheel-based KERS system this year.

"That said, we naturally work closely with all the teams in the sport to contribute to the best regulatory environment for F1.

"I'd also be bound to mention that some FOTA members, notably Mercedes, look like they are reviewing their KERS policy," he added.

BMW's Mario Theissen had recently indicated that FOTA might consider looking again at KERS for the 2011 season, but on Wednesday the German marque announced its withdrawal from Formula One.