This was followed by an equal qualifying and race result for Nick Heidfeld in the Malaysian Grand Prix while team mate Petrov was launched in the air by a high kerb with a few laps remaining. It was a solid début for the R31 with Vitaly Petrov qualifying sixth and then taking his first F1 podium in the opening round of 2011 in Melbourne. Martin Brundle described the forward-facing exhaust as "sounding like a bag of nails." However David Coulthard disproved this theory by buying a bag of nails. After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, designer James Allison admitted the forward exhaust concept rendered the R31 a 'failed experiment': The system also made it extremely difficult to develop the car. The car suffered from low downforce on slower circuits, particularly Singapore. The exhaust system became a major disadvantage as the season unfolded. However, some key personnel from other teams – most notably Mercedes' Ross Brawn – have downplayed the importance of the parts. It has been further implied that the exhaust system offers significant gains, as incorporating them is a complex process, requiring teams to rearrange the internal electronics of the car and undertaking strenuous side-impact tests to get the new parts approved. It has been suggested that several other teams have been quick to adapt to the concept, with talk that the forward blown diffuser will be implemented on several cars for upcoming tests. The car attracted attention for a radical exhaust system, with speculation suggesting that it could be routed under the floor to create a "forward blown diffuser" effect after the car was unveiled with no visible exhaust vents, though Renault have not confirmed or denied any technical developments except to state that the car has been the product of a twelve-month development cycle. Renault had planned to have Robert Kubica as teammate to Petrov, but Kubica got injured while testing a rally car. The R31 was unveiled at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in Valencia, Spain on 31 January 2011, where Vitaly Petrov was first to drive it.
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