Lotus Renault GP ready for launch and first test at Valencia

An eventful day all round yesterday, but perhaps the most significant moment was the very first fire-up of the R31 as a busy car build at Enstone nears completion before the trucks leave for Valencia on Saturday.

As the F1 launch season gets into full swing, here’s recap of plans for the unveiling of the team’s new challenger in Valencia, Spain on Monday 31st of January.

The first glimpse of the R31 will take place at the Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo. The covers will be pulled off the car in the pit lane at 12:30 local time, slightly later than originally scheduled to avoid an overlap with the Sauber F1 Team launch. This will be followed by a photo call with the drivers and key team personnel. Then, at 13:00, it’s time for the interviews.

Official testing begins the following day when Vitaly becomes the first man to get behind the wheel of the R31. Robert will take over driving duties for the remaining couple of days.

Here is the provisional driver line-up for the winter tests:

VALENCIA
1 Feb Vitaly Petrov
2-3 Feb Robert Kubica

JEREZ
10-11 Feb Vitaly Petrov
12-13 Feb Robert Kubica

BARCELONA
18-19 Feb Vitaly Petrov
20-21 Feb Robert Kubica

BAHRAIN
3-4 Mar Robert Kubica
5-6 Mar Vitaly Petrov