The system also made it extremely difficult to develop the car. The car suffered from low downforce on slower circuits, particularlySingapore. The exhaust system became a major disadvantage as the season unfolded. However, some key personnel from other teams – most notably Mercedes' Ross Brawn – have downplayed the importance of the parts. 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. The R31 was unveiled at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on 31 January 2011, where Vitaly Petrov was first to drive it. 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. Ultimately, the car raced in Canada with no changes to its livery. Scuderia Ferrari) was racing with colours similar to those of another tobacco brand and had done so in Canada without trouble in previous years. However, senior team personnel dismissed the claims, stating that "another famous team" (i.e. 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. 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). The Renault R31 was a Formula One racing car designed by Lotus Renault GP for the 2011 Formula One season. Seven-speed semi-automatic titanium gearbox with reverse gear "Quickshift" system Renault RS27-2011 2,400 cc (146.5 cu in) 90° V8, limited to 18,000 RPM with KERS naturally aspirated mid-mounted "It is very busy right now, but the intensity of the new car will build steadily to insane levels as January approaches," he added.Moulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, with engine incorporated as a fully stressed memberĬarbon fibre double wishbone, operating inboard torsion bar and damper units via a pushrod system Next season brings a ban on blown diffusers thanks to new rules which limit the positioning of a car's exhausts and Allison said that work on Renault's 2012 design is well advanced. "We look forward to moving on in 2012 with all-new exhaust rules and a chance to wipe the slate clean." Intensity ![]() "The layout which had promised so much and which, had it delivered, would have been almost impossible to copy, proved very tricky to develop and had a fundamental weakness in slow corners that has been an albatross around our neck all year. ![]() "The season which followed has been difficult for everyone at Enstone. "We came out of the blocks adequately well, although it was clear from the first test that the delivered downforce was not as high as we had expected. "We were the only team to adopt a forward exhaust layout, and we did so with high hopes, buoyed by very strong wind tunnel numbers. It worked to an extent, however the car's traction suffered as a result out of slower corners, with its performance notably poor at tracks like Monaco, Hungary, Singapore as well as Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit.Īsked for his verdict on Renault's R31, Allison said: "I regard it as a bold, but ultimately failed experiment. Unlike the blown diffusers used by rivals, the intention was for the R31 to develop more grip towards the middle of the car. Renault took a bold step with a unique forward-facing exhaust on their car. They picked up a total of 66 points in the first half of the season but have managed to score just six since then, with Vitaly Petrov forced to apologise after the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where, having finished one lap down in 13th place, he criticised the team in a post-race interview.
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