Williams take controlling share in KERS company 28 Apr 2010
Williams have acquired a majority shareholding in Williams Hybrid Power (WHP). The team’s original investment in the UK-based company (formerly Automotive Hybrid Power) dates back to March 2008, when Williams planned to incorporate its composite flywheel technology for F1 use in 2009.
Like most of their rivals, in the end Williams never raced with KERS, and this season the teams have agreed not to use the technology. However, it remains legal and there has been much speculation over its potential return, perhaps in modified form.
On top of that, interest in the technology outside the sport has also remained strong. Consequently, WHP has re-focused its development efforts to road vehicle applications and recently partnered with Porsche to run the system in the German manufacturer’s new Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid.
Williams driver Nico Hulkenberg sampled that car first hand last week when he completed three laps of the Nordschleife at Germany’s famous Nurburgring circuit.
