Lotus Renault Confirms R31 Car Launch on January 31st

Renault has joined the pack of teams who will unveil their 2011 challenger prior to the official start of the winter testing, in Valencia. Unlike Ferrari or McLaren Mercedes, who will hold special media events when launching their cars, Renault will show the R31 car in the eve of the Valencia test, probably in the Ricardo Tormo paddock.

“The Lotus Renault GP R31 will be officially unveiled on 31 January in Valencia. More info to follow,” Lotus Renault Racing confirmed on Thursday, in a short statement via their Twitter feed.

The media presentation of the car will coincide with the launch of the team's new official website. Since Renault's stake in the Enstone based team has been purchased by Group Lotus, the squad has been rebranded and the new website will also get to feature Lotus' heritage colors black and gold.

As far as the livery for the R31 goes, the black and gold color scheme will first be presented to the media and fans during next week's Autosport International Show in Birmingham, but on the 2010 challenger, the R30. That will give everyone the chance to see how the 2011 challenger will look like some two weeks before its official testing debut.

Renault's car launch on January 31st will coincide with the one announced by Team Sauber for their R30 challenger. The two teams will present their cars in the exact same day, while probably being joined by Scuderia Toro Rosso (who will launch their STR6 either on January 31st, or on February 1st, hours before the start of the test).

Ferrari and McLaren Mercedes have already announced launch dates in the week prior to the Valencia test, while Force India, Marussia Virgin and Hispania Racing F1 Team will not have their 2011 spec cars ready until the Jerez test.