BMW F1 mechanic shocked by KERS
August 1, 2008 by George Skentzos
In a bid to make Formula One a greener motorsport, some teams have been trialling a new experimental technology known as the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).
This system stores electricity generated from braking allowing maximum boost power of up to 60kW – effectively creating a hybrid F1 – which officials plan to utilise as part of overtaking maneuvers.
As a result, one member of the BMW Sauber F1 team literally received quite a shock when he came in contact with the KERS-equipped F1.07C after a test run.
The static build-up of electricity knocked him off his feet as he touched the car being driven by the team’s test driver Christian Klien – who was of course insulated by the massive rubber tyres around him.
A similar incident occurred a week earlier at the Red Bull Racing garage where a KERS battery malfunction caused a fire scare.
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Sounds good, but yeah… don’t want to zap away your engineers/mechanics when you pit…
But excellent use of generated power through braking and out the corner behind a car to overtake you can make use of the extra KW’s to jump in front!
So how do they think they’re gonna remove the static electricity? Lucky that guy didnt hav a refuelling hose with him otherwise…
The driver isn’t insulated by the tires, he’s at the same “voltage” as the rest of the car. And I’m sure the static could be discharged easily by having the car drive over a soft metal brush on its way into pit lane.
Needs to be dragging along an earth strap!!
The pit bays have earthing strips in the concrete for race stops but Heifield seemed to miss them when he turned. The teams were worried something like this would happen. But they were more worried about if an official touched them after an accident.
I think it is more an improper grounding issue than just something they will have to live with.
“You just got ZAPPED!”
^^ To quote Dave Chappell
Potentially pretty dangerous methinks.