By GMM

BMW-Sauber team boss Mario Theissen has dismissed suggestions that electing not to use a KERS energy-recovery system next year might be the most competitive option.

Teams can voluntarily use the innovation next year, where energy captured under braking can be released by the drivers in the form of a 'boost button' under acceleration.

But with the devices likely to weigh nearly 40kg, it has been suggested that some teams are considering whether they would gain a competitive advantage by simply saving the extra weight and living without the boost in power.

"It is extra weight, but it is an exciting technology because we can apply it to road cars," Theissen is quoted as saying by Spain's Diario AS newspaper.

"I don't think the cars (running KERS) will be slower, because every lap we will have about 85hp extra, perhaps for seven seconds," he added.

BMW driver Robert Kubica, however, believes the arrival of KERS next year will put a higher than normal premium on weight.

"To have a light car will cost the teams a lot of money," he speculated.

"It will maybe even be more dangerous because the parts will be lighter and more fragile and I'm worried that some teams will chose light drivers because it's more advantageous.

"I don't think this is the way to go," he added.

"I've put my views to the FIA, also the GPDA, but I think their answer was quite negative, but we will see."