
So, Renault hired Kubica's former BMW Sauber teammate Nick Heidfeld instead. Renault had planned to have Robert Kubica as teammate to Petrov, but Kubica got injured when participated in a rally. 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 was driven by Vitaly Petrov and Nick Heidfeld, who was replaced mid-season by Bruno Senna. The chassis was designed by James Allison, Naoki Tokunaga, Tim Densham and Dirk de Beer with Rob White leading the engine design. 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

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 Naoki Tokunaga (Deputy Technical Director)
