Williams not using KERS

"We're clear that we're not going to be using it in Australia but not clear when we will use it," he said.

The Kinetic Energy Recovery System will give a driver a brief burst of extra power at the push of a button through the recovery of energy generated by the car's brakes that would otherwise go to waste.

Most teams have said they will wait until after the final pre-season test next month before deciding whether to take the system to Melbourne for the first race on March 29.

The chances are that Williams, who have Germany's Nico Rosberg and Japan's Kazuki Nakajima as their drivers, will not use KERS in Malaysia either since that race follows on the weekend immediately after Australia.

Former champions Williams have developed their own flywheel system and set up a company to develop the technology for Formula One and further applications outside the sport.

The sport's regulations have undergone dramatic change this season, with radically revised aerodynamics and slick tyres replacing the grooved ones of recent seasons.

"The greatest performance opportunities are currently in the weight distribution, balance and optimising set-up for the slick tyre," said the spokesman.

"This is where we focus initially. We will introduce KERS as and when we have a system that can improve performance."