BMW wants higher F1 car weight
Despite the voluntary introduction of heavy KERS energy re-use systems this year, the FIA has left the existing minimum car weight of 605kg the same.
But because the figure includes the weight of the driver, the KERS factor has led to widespread weight loss this winter, with some commentators concerned that F1 is heading the route of ski-jumping.
"In order to prevent formula one from becoming a jockey's competition, we are pushing for an increase of the minimum weight in the future," team boss Mario Theissen revealed.
BMW's F1 team is an interesting example, with the very tall (and thin) Robert Kubica unhappy about his KERS disadvantage, and diminutive teammate Nick Heidfeld further strengthening his advantage by also losing weight this pre-season.
Theissen on Monday said the team's KERS system is ready to debut at Melbourne, but he clarified that the final call about the technology's deployment in 2009 will be made "on a driver-by-driver, circuit-by-circuit basis".