Dry or wet, I'm willing to bet it's going to be an interesting race.
I guess those who have the damned KERS will use it, might prove useful for drafting in the tunnel (but beware that bump when leaving it, Kimi) and gaining some time on the Casino uphill, even if it has a negative impact on balance. Never thought I'd say that but on this race KERS should pepper (sorry Yann ) things a bit this time.
I might be talking rubbish though. But the qualify will be awesome!
I'm pretty sure KERS would be a liability. Monaco is a low-speed track where mechanical grip rules above all. You're right in saying it could be used through the tunnel, but one needs to be able to get alongside first, and that will be hard with the high-speed curve on a narrow track.
If a driver is able to draft and get alongside on the pit straight, they could muscle their way through T1 and make the move stick. Other than that, it's hard to think of how else drivers could pass.
The advantage of kers really comes in race pace. The extra power comes at no cost to tyre wear, whereas for, the brawns for example, to see the same improvement in laptime of the mclarens, they would have to push harder through the corners. So imo it's still relevent.
They'll wear the tyres more with 80 extra horsepower, and lugging the extra weight (or rather the higher CoG and unfavourable weight distribution) will also slow them in the corners and increase tyre wear. Couple that with one of the KERS drivers being as hard on rear tyres as G. Villeneuve and you have a recipe for not being on the podium... imo
As passing is almost impossible (unless you're a Schumacher, but not the younger brother) then KERS isn't really needed to gain or defend places. I think it's mad they've kept it on for the meeting.
KERS could prove handy in qualifying, making time on the straights is a piece of piss so to have that advantage over most of the field could help some drivers a lot.
I'll reply to this, even though I think you 2 year old daughter must have written it whilst you were in the loo.
'Most'? One two teams have it, and Ferrari have said they'll evaluate it after practice on Thursday.
'Worse off'? Do you get the impression the teams themselves don't actually know if they are worse off?
'Designed for it' You don't say. I thought they fitted something to their cars that weren't designed for it.... But they could still unbolt it and leave the space free - no KERS, no weight, and then they can bolt in more ballast in the nose... Possibly.
You'd wonder why MOST of the teams have removed KERS on the basis that on a traction limited circuit that requires speed in the corners the sums don't add up.
I can see why McLaren would want to continue to use it. If KERS is going to be compulsory next year they will want to accumulate as much data as possible for next years car. With in season testing banned it and a likely budget cap next year it makes sense.