Renault 2011

[H.Lyoud]

Yes R31 might be and will be strong in Monaco, but Heidfeld does not have the "street circuit" magic like Kubica does

[marcush.]

well-he won in Monaco in F3 and F3000 ...so he must have some street magic in him..don´t you think so?
ok he´s old now,but not as old as Schumacher... hopefully he does himself a favour and gets a shave beforehand-princess Caroline will appreciate..

[raymondu999]

Well, statistically, Heidfeld has outquallied Kubica in Monaco in 2007 and 2009, and Kubi has outquallied Heidfeld in 2008

[bot6]

So many people keep forgetting that Heidfeld had better results than Kubica at BMW. His driving style is less flashy and he's a bit quieter as a bloke, but he's a properly quick driver. And he seems to have come to grips with the car. I think he can do well this year.

But as Madly says, back on topic. Have Renault announced any updates for China? Do you guys think they will try again with the new rear wing they tested in Sepang? With their traction out of slow corners and a more efficient DRS, this car could become the ultimate overtaking machine...

[kalinka]

I would rather describe it ( in it's current state ) a very-hard-to-overtake car. They doesn't have a pace yet like RBR or McL, but if they could get somehow in front in qualy/first-corner then it's a good chance they'll stay there. Of course all this could change very rapidly during the season.

[marekk]

So many people keep forgetting that Heidfeld had better results than Kubica at BMW. His driving style is less flashy and he's a bit quieter as a bloke, but he's a properly quick driver. And he seems to have come to grips with the car. I think he can do well this year.

But as Madly says, back on topic. Have Renault announced any updates for China? Do you guys think they will try again with the new rear wing they tested in Sepang? With their traction out of slow corners and a more efficient DRS, this car could become the ultimate overtaking machine...

No doubt Nick will deliver, quick and very experienced driver, but this car was designed from the very beginning with RK's data and preferences in mind, so maybe he would extract a few extra tenths from the car in quali - but it wouldn't change to much anyway.

Even without new parts, this car is completely new design, so they should gain few tenths every race just from setup and new engine mappings, as they get more real world data and have better understanding of the car and better simulation models.

[adrianjordan]

I would rather describe it ( in it's current state ) a very-hard-to-overtake car. They doesn't have a pace yet like RBR or McL, but if they could get somehow in front in qualy/first-corner then it's a good chance they'll stay there. Of course all this could change very rapidly during the season.

Don't forget the car is no slouch in a straight line either.

[Donuts]

"It just needs a little here and there"

Don't want to be negative, but I think it needs more than that, +1.892 sec to pole position, +30 sec to race finish in Australia and +1.254 sec to pole position, +25 sec to race finish in Malaysia.

Next year, next year...

[madly]

Interview with James Allison:
http://www.lotusrenaultgp.com/4646-Tech ... ml?lang=en
[..]
Vitaly’s accident in Malaysia saw significant damage to the steering column – what happened exactly?
Dropping the car from this height gives a substantial impact to the car (around 30g). The weight of the wheel, coupled with the weight of the driver’s arms are greatly multiplied in such an impact and they were sufficient to cause the steering column to fracture where it emerged from the bearing on the dash bulkhead.

[..]
What are your expectations for China? Will LRGP fighting at the front once again?
I certainly hope so and it’s a circuit that should suit our car. We brought a reasonable upgrade package to Malaysia and will have some more aero tweaks for China.

[marekk]

"It just needs a little here and there"

Don't want to be negative, but I think it needs more than that, +1.892 sec to pole position, +30 sec to race finish in Australia and +1.254 sec to pole position, +25 sec to race finish in Malaysia.

Next year, next year...

They can't compete with RBR and McL on raw pace this year IMO, but let's imagine Nick managed to overtake Vettel in Sepang. With good traction and working KERS/DRS it would be hard to overtake him on the track, and Vettel couldn't build his usual gap to cars behind. Who knows ?

[raymondu999]

I agree, with the exception of 3 letters. DRS. Being in front means no DRS for you to play with

[BreezyRacer]

"It just needs a little here and there"

Don't want to be negative, but I think it needs more than that, +1.892 sec to pole position, +30 sec to race finish in Australia and +1.254 sec to pole position, +25 sec to race finish in Malaysia.

Next year, next year...

They can't compete with RBR and McL on raw pace this year IMO, but let's imagine Nick managed to overtake Vettel in Sepang. With good traction and working KERS/DRS it would be hard to overtake him on the track, and Vettel couldn't build his usual gap to cars behind. Who knows ?

Well guys I look at it this way .. they have been on the back foot in both of these two events .. in Australia Heidfeld had problems with DRS and qually, and getting massive damage in turn 1. Vitally made the most of his position though and came thru with a good race. In Malaysia they both were setback in P1 and P2 with part problems, so we have yet to see a "clean" weekend from them.

I don't think they have spent every effort in going for a pole run in Q3 yet. Move these cars up just 1 row on the grid and they are right there, competing on the level of McLarens anyway. You don't need pole as much anymore .. now it's all about tire management and race pace.

Red Bull? Maybe another story, though it's a pretty tight pack up there at the front. Just look at Webber .. KERS doesn't work and he had to struggle for the entire race to get back up to 4th. So in short I believe that yes it can happen. They can fight for wins now.

[H.Lyoud]

I wouldnt be surprised when there wont be any drs activation zone in Monaco.

[govind112]

which do you think is more beneficial the front facing exhaust or the flat ones redbull use?

[BreezyRacer]

I wouldnt be surprised when there wont be any drs activation zone in Monaco.

I agree with that. It's just too dangerous without a wide and long enough passing zone, through if there is one it would be the start straight. But it's just not long enough .. it would only an invite to crashing.