Kubica to use KERS system in Bahrain

Poland's Robert Kubica, still without a point after three races, hopes to boost his chances in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix by racing for the first time with the new KERS energy recovery system.

"The plan is to run it through all the weekend," said the BMW-Sauber driver, who handed his team their first Formula One pole position at last year's race before finishing third behind the two Ferraris.

Kubica used the system, which gives an extra boost of power at the push of a button, in Friday practice in China but jettisoned it for qualifying and the race.

The system adds an estimated 25-30kg to the car's weight and Kubica is considerably taller and heavier than team mate Nick Heidfeld, putting the Pole at a disadvantage because he has less ballast to move around in setting up the car.

"It is quite difficult for myself to use it but I hope in Bahrain I will face fewer problems with the balance and weight distribution issues," said Kubica, a race winner and championship contender last season.

BMW-Sauber team boss Mario Theissen told reporters that his team had always intended to take a race by race approach to using KERS.

"Here it is predicted to be an advantage," he said.