Just been watching the launch of the new R31. Everyone is aware of the new livery but the car is gorgeous and hopefully a challenger this year. Again the front nose is high and flat which seems to be the theme. Shark fin is also out. Pics coming soon
Senna, Grosjean and Fauzy are the reserve drivers and could probably nab Petrovs seat if he under performs
Bastards. I thought it was 12.30 GMT. Car does look exquisite though, shame about the Total branding which spoils it a bit. Hopefully this'll be the machine to pitch Kubica into his first title race.
That is a very eye catching car. The Total branding does look a bit big and detracts from the overall look.
So I'm presuming that Team Lotus have pull-rod suspension (as they have the Red Bull gearbox and hydraulics), but does the R31 feature a pull-rod as well?
They have switched to pull rod. The interesting part of the car is under the nose cone to the front wing. aparently there is a long fin but havnt see a front picture of the car yet
Images of Lotus Renault GP’s R31 are all over the internet now, and people analysing the images have noticed that the exhaust exits are nowhere to be seen. I’m hearing that the car is running an incredibly innovative exhaust system. Rather than routing the exhausts to the rear, the exhaust exits the car at the front, blowing over a front-mounted diffuser to generate additional downforce. If this is true, it would certainly explain the disappearance of the exhaust exits from the expected locations, and would be a major innovation in F1. They did say they were taking a risk in this car design
Lovely looking car. Don't know whether I prefer this or the Team Lotus car. They both beat the ferrari, Sauber and Merc.
That's probably what fuelled the rumours about the exhausts blowing from the front. Personally I can't see it, the packaging would be a nightmare and the aerodynamic losses would be huge working the exhaust gases that far. They probably just blow directly through the floor. Also, just because you can't see something doesn't mean it isn't there, Renault could have a less radical solution, but one which they don't want the competition to see and have simply covered them up. Remember Red Bull last year putting stickers where the exhausts were expected to be.
A front mounted diffuser sounds interesting. If it works well, it might also be hard for other teams to copy, as it probably took a lot of effort to fit everything in. Sounds intriguing though. Do think that the red total logos spoil the whole JPS look s bit, but I guess thats sponsorship for you. Of all the cars released so far, the Sauber possibly looks the dullest. EDIT: Actually Absolutelyglorious may have a point. Maybe they've taken it one step further than Red Bull, and simply, for launch purposes only covered them over with a slightly different body panel than will be seen in racing? Of course, this breaks down if the car was actually driven on launch!
Has anyone noticed it says "makes roads safe' just behind the sidepod on the cars 'floor' on the newest pic?
yep on a bit of a car you wouldnt want to be hit by....not that you would want to be by any part of a f1 car...or be on a road with an F1 car...
The "Make Roads Safe" thing? I think all teams had it last season. I think it was a campaign started in Australia, the cars all had the logo for the Aussie GP and then I think they carried it on for the rest of the season.
From the F1 website last March. I wish I was as good at memorising the equations for the exam I have tomorrow as I am at remembering useless bits of F1 trivia.
