Renault R31
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| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
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| Constructor | Renault | ||||||||||
| Designer(s) | James Allison (Technical Director) | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | Renault R30 | ||||||||||
| Successor | Lotus E20 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, with engine incorporated as a fully stressed member | ||||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Carbon fibre double wishbone, operating inboard torsion bar and damper units via a pushrod system | ||||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | As front except via a pullrod system | ||||||||||
| Engine | Renault RS27-2011 2,400 cc (146.5 cu in) 90° V8, limited to 18,000 RPM with KERS naturally aspirated mid-mounted | ||||||||||
| Transmission | Seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox with reverse gear "Quickshift" system | ||||||||||
| Weight | 640 kg (1,411 lb) (including driver) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Total | ||||||||||
| Tyres |
Pirelli P Zero OZ Wheels (front and rear): 13" |
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| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Lotus Renault GP | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers | 9.  Bruno Senna9.  Nick Heidfeld10.  Vitaly Petrov
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| Debut | 2011 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Renault R31 was a Formula One racing car designed by Lotus Renault GP for the 2011 Formula One season. The car's distinctive black and gold livery was designed as a tribute to the Team Lotus cars of the 1980s and the famous John Player Special liveries (those cars also used Renault engines). Speculation suggested that as the design is reminiscent of a cigarette package, the team would be in violation of strict anti-tobacco laws in Canada and would be unable to use it at the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix. However, senior team personnel dismissed the claims, stating that "another famous team" was racing with colours similar to those of another tobacco brand and had done so in Canada without trouble in previous years. Ultimately, the car raced in Canada with no changes to its livery.
The R31 was unveiled at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on 31 January 2011, where Vitaly Petrov was first to drive it. Renault had planned to have Robert Kubica as teammate to Petrov, but Kubica got injured while testing a rally car. So, Renault hired Nick Heidfeld instead. The car attracted attention for a radical exhaust system, with speculation suggesting that it could be routed under the floor to create a "forward blown diffuser" effect after the car was unveiled with no visible exhaust vents, though Renault have not confirmed or denied any technical developments except to state that the car has been the product of a twelve-month development cycle. It has been suggested that several other teams have been quick to adapt to the concept, with talk that the forward blown diffuser will be implemented on several cars for upcoming tests. It has been further implied that the exhaust system offers significant gains, as incorporating them is a complex process, requiring teams to rearrange the internal electronics of the car and undertaking strenuous side-impact tests to get the new parts approved. However, some key personnel from other teams – most notably Mercedes' Ross Brawn – have downplayed the importance of the parts. The exhaust system became a major disadvantage as the season unfolded. The car suffered from low downforce on slower circuits, particularly Singapore. The system also made it extremely difficult to develop the car. After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, designer James Allison admitted the forward exhaust concept rendered the R31 a 'failed experiment':
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