Robert Kubica will run a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) on his BMW Sauber for the first since the start of the season in tomorrow's free practice for the Chinese Grand Prix.
While teammate Nick Heidfeld, who is much lighter than the Pole, has been able to race with KERS in the first two races and scored a podium in Malaysia, Kubica has been unable to use the device because its added weight and the subsequent loss of ballast has a knock-on impact on his car's handling – especially when it comes to tire degradation issues. But with China's long straights, BMW is eager to see if the device will be an advantage for Kubica this weekend.
"We will have to test and see," said Kubica in Shanghai on Thursday. "For sure we have seen this from our view, especially in Malaysia but also in Australia, it was an advantage. Of course running on my car there are some disadvantages that are bigger than for the other [drivers], but I hope still the advantage will be bigger than the disadvantage, but we will see."
Kubica admitted that using KERS would compromise the balance of his car, but added that was why BMW was experimenting with the device on Friday.
"The balance of the car is the issue," said Kubica. "We will see – a lot will depend on that and the grip level."