The Renault R31 is unveiled to the world in Valencia
The Renault R31 was unveiled in Valencia this morning, a little over six hours after Team Lotus showed its car on the web.
Joining Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov for the presentation were test drivers Romain Grosjean and Bruno Senna and Gravity proteges Jan Charouz and Ho-Pin Tung.
“For Genii Capital and Lotus Renault GP, the 2011 season will be the one in which we achieve our aims,” said team chairman and Genii boss Gerard Lopez. “We now have 100% ownership of the team, and we’re tackling the coming championship with the intention of continuing to do things our way – but always with humility. I would like to welcome Lotus Cars, a new ambitious title sponsor with us for the long term. Renault and Total have also chosen to accompany us again in this adventure and we thank them for their valuable contribution.
“Our aim for 2011 is to continue our march towards the front of the grid, seize the slightest opportunity and do better than last season in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships. We feel we are well prepared for the challenge ahead.”
Team principal Eric Boullier said: “All the hard work over the winter has been focused on delivering a big improvement for 2011. The result is a car with more than 92% new parts compared to the R30. But technical innovation isn’t the only key to performance. Since last year, we have reviewed all our internal processes and our overall efficiency has now improved by 15%. That means we should be more competitive than last year, on the track and at the factory.”
Technical director James Allison hopes that the team has made a big step.
“Words like ‘aggressive’ and ‘innovative’ are very much in vogue in Formula 1 at the moment, but where the R31 is concerned we feel those adjectives are appropriate. It’s true to say that the car has been designed in an ambitious manner and a quick glance at the layout will confirm that its entire concept differs considerably, not just from last year’s car, but from any car this team has ever produced.”
Kubica and Petrov pose with their new toy
Adam Cooper F1 
‘Renault’? I thought Renault had sold off everything to do with this team and are simply supplying engines (and gearboxes and hydraulics, or course). Can you clarify for me?
In other words, are this team any more Renault than say Red Bull are?
“Renault”! It’s what the constructor of this car is listed as.
A “Lotus” (supposedly) sponsered by Lada ! Wow that really improves the brand.
Looks like a Lotus to me.
Apart from the big Lotus sticker on the front nose and the overalls, where else is the Lotus Branding?? I would have thought they would be all over it. Mmm…
Time for a cig I think…
Looks like a can of Guinness to me, at least the ones they sell here in North America, only difference is the pull tabs on the cans of Guinness aren’t red.
Re: Jason C.
This team will appear as “Renault” on the TV graphics, as “McLaren Mercedes” and “Ferrari” do. Team Lotus, on the other hand, will appear as “Lotus Renault”.