From Formula One to series production

Formula One is more than just a playground for engineering boffins; it also functions as an innovator for series production. The best example of technology transfer from Formula One to mainstream manufacture is the KERS hybrid system that made its F1 comeback in the 2011 season.

The fiercely competitive arena of Formula One forces advances and solutions that would otherwise not be possible in the context of commercial research. For example, there have been significant reductions in the weight of the KERS unit since 2009. The F1 systems are much smaller, lighter and more powerful than the conventional hybrid systems used in standard road vehicles; after all, the aim is to win races with it.