R31 from Lotus Renault GP presented in Valencia

Lotus Renault GP has today officially presented the R31, the car that marks the official return of Lotus as manufacturer to the Formula One. The presentation took place in the pit lane of the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo.

The unveil was made by Robert Kubica and Vitaly Petrov that were joined by Gerard Lopez (Chairman of Lotus Renault GP) and Eric Boullier (Team Principal and Managing Director) to pull back the covers covering the R31, a car that the team hopes will bring it towards the front of the grid.

On the occasion Gerard Lopez, thanked to Lotus Cars for its return to Formula One and to Renault and Total for backing the team once again. The Chairman of the Lotus Renault GP also expressed the team’s goals for the new season.

“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.”

Eric Boullier thinks that the R31 will be a more competitive car than the R30 was in 2010. Besides an almost complete technical reconstruction, with more than 92% new parts than its antecessor, the R31 had its overall efficiency improved by 15%.

Technical Director, James Allison, explained the team’s approach to the design of the R31: “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.”