Lotus Renault GP R31 Launch

[prisonermonkeys]

The R31 is being launched today in Valencia at 12:30pm local time. The original launch was slated for noon, but was moved back half an hour so as not to clash with the Sauber launch. There is no live video.

 

[Akmuq]

Can't wait to see it.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I've seen an R30 in R31 trim - and not just indoors like at ASI, but outdoors in Valencia - and let me say, it looks absolutely fantastic.

I just hope there's no shark fin on the R31. The acre of space on the R30 engine cowling seems to imply there won't be, because that's prime real estate.

 

[RTSolvalou]

Found the live launch site:
http://www.launch.lotusrenaultgp.com/

Ah, just realized the launch is in 10 and a bit hours, not 2 hours ago...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

That was the Team Lotus launch, not the Lotus Renault GP one.

 

[RTSolvalou]

I misinterpreted thinking they were all launching 30mins after each other.

 

[LewyOs]

http://www.launch.lotusrenaultgp.com/

Launching soon I believe.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

It's launching now. The live stream is down, though. All I get is a message saying Firefox is having problem loading the page. Before that, I was being told I couldn't connect. At last check, there were over 6000 people watching the live stream, which probably has something to do with it.

 

[LewyOs]

Working for me, 7378 watching.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

 

[Ardius]

How many reserve drivers does Renault need? Jan Charouz, Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean, Ho-pin Tung, Fairuz Fauzy...who else?

 

[Tired Tyres]

Maybe it's a new tactic. If one driver fails to deliver a result, you fire him straight away and put another one in the car. Then repeat until someone delivers.

 

[Muzaffar]

How many reserve drivers does Renault need? Jan Charouz, Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean, Ho-pin Tung, Fairuz Fauzy...who else?

Apparently... Bruno Senna.
Bruno Senna joins Lotus Renault GP
and I have no idea why Renault needs that many reserved drivers...

Regarding the car though, I think they did quite well with the livery but I think the Team Lotus' black and gold livery was still better...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

I think Tung and Charouz are really only there by virtue of bein in the Gravity Driver Development Programme.

 

[Clark]

Just get rid of Petrov and stick Grosjean in the 2011 Title winning car- I hope.

 

[F1 fan]

Beautiful car... Was maybe spoiled slightly by unveiling the livery too early, but this will look nice on track.

As for the reserve driver situation, think I'll hold a sweepstake with some friends. Draw a name out of a hat and the first person who's chosen driver gets a formula one race drive wins... My money would be on Grosjean, even though he was disastrous in 2009.

Edit:

Just get rid of Petrov and stick Grosjean in the 2011 Title winning car- I hope.

I used to rate Grosjean quite highly, but I think petrov did a far better job than him. Romain has gone up in my estimations after his performances with Matech. Especially winning in a ford Gt in his first race with the team (and in gt cars).

 

[Clark]

Not to mention we wiped the floor with Charouz in Auto GP even after missing the first round and then did pretty well (got a podium) on his GP2 return with DAMS.

 

[F1 fan]

Not to mention we wiped the floor with Charouz in Auto GP even after missing the first round and then did pretty well (got a podium) on his GP2 return with DAMS.

He seems to be going about things the right way and is showing some real diversity. But I think he should have finished the season with Matech and challenged for the title (which he would have won).

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Just get rid of Petrov and stick Grosjean in the 2011 Title winning car- I hope.

Uh, where were you in 2009, when Grosjean spent most of his time spinning around? Petrov might crash, but at least he crashes because he's pushing too hard and trying to find the limit.

 

[Clark]

Drivers don't perform well in certain circumstances, I think he has more to give. Just look at Kovaleinen.

 

[Pupik]

How many reserve drivers does Renault need? Jan Charouz, Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean, Ho-pin Tung, Fairuz Fauzy...who else?

Cage match with lasers, game on.

 

[Harley45]

Now thats a Great looking Car 👍 & its got a Great Paint Scheme , best looker so far

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Rumours are going around that the R31 apparently has an exhaust blown front diffuser.

 

[Clark]

A front diffuser sounds made-up, I've not heard of one ever before. Are they planning to drive in reverse?

 

[Cap'n Jack]

A front diffuser sounds made-up, I've not heard of one ever before. Are they planning to drive in reverse?

This here:

I'm not sure on the rumours, myself, just putting it out there is all.

 

[Clark]

That's very interesting, just being doing a bit of reading of the potential of it. We could have a car here which will get the drop on everybody else, like the double diffuser cars of '09.

 

[Anghammarad]

The red Total logos ruin everything lookswise. It should have been all black and gold, or rather black and copper.

 

[PeterJB]

Yeah, especially the red on the wing mirrors, not a good look.

 

[Radracing]

How many reserve drivers does Renault need? Jan Charouz, Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean, Ho-pin Tung, Fairuz Fauzy...who else?

You think the other drivers are bringing in some sponsorship money? Maybe thats why they have them.

 

[stpatty]

How many reserve drivers does Renault need? Jan Charouz, Bruno Senna, Romain Grosjean, Ho-pin Tung, Fairuz Fauzy...who else?

I think the Renault management have been playing B-Spec a bit too much and forgot the point of F1...