Williams not ruling out using KERS in 2010

Williams has refused to rule out the possibility the team might overlook the FOTA ban next year and race with a KERS system.

The manufacturer-dominated FOTA alliance, comprising major F1 teams including Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, Toyota, Brawn and Red Bull, have agreed not to fit the controversial energy-recovery systems to their cars in 2010.

But that is just a separate gentleman's agreement, with the actual technical rules to continue to permit the use of KERS next year.

Williams has so far never raced with KERS, but has been steadily developing an unique flywheel-based system this year.

When asked if it will be debuted in 2010, a spokesman for the Grove based team answered: "We can't confirm precise intentions as we are still developing our KERS system."

He made clear the team, expelled from the association for breaking ranks and signing up for the 2010 world championship amid the recent FIA war, is not bound by the FOTA agreement.

"We are not members of FOTA and thus strictly are not bound by their decisions," said the Williams spokesman. "Further, the Formula One technical regulations require unanimity if they are to be changed.

"All of that said, we naturally work closely with all the teams in the sport to contribute to the best regulatory environment for F1," he added.

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