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Autodromo Internacional do Algarve

CIRCUIT PAGE
03/01/2022

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Click the image for a larger version of the circuit map

DETAILS

Autodromo Internacional do Algarve

Sitio do Escampadinho
Mexilhoeira Grande
8500-148 Portimao
Algarve
Portugal

Tel: +351 282 405 609

Fax:

Official website:
www.autodromodoalgarve.com

STATISTICS (PRIOR TO 2022)

Length:

4.653km (2.891miles)

Race laps:

55

2021 winner:

Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Configuration:

Clockwise

First GP:

2020

Lap record:

1:18.750 (Hamilton, Mercedes, 2020)

Type:

Permanent Circuit

Total races:

2

BIOGRAPHY

The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, which was designed by Ricardo Pina, Arquitectos, was opened in October 2008, and within days had been homologated by both the FIM and the FIA.

With a capacity of around 100,000, the facility includes a technology park, a five-star hotel, a sports complex and apartments.

Portimao first hosted F1 testing that same year, with Ferrari and McLaren opting to use the Algarve track. A year later they returned, along with Toro Rosso, Renault, Williams and Toyota. McLaren returned again in 2016, along with world champions Mercedes.

In 2009, FIA president Max Mosley stated that based on the quality of the circuit he saw no reason why it could not host a round of the Formula One World Championship under the guise of the Portuguese Grand Prix, providing there was a commercial agreement with Formula One Management.

In October 2010 the F1 teams agreed to add the circuit to official testing roster along with Bahrain.

In September 2013, due to debts estimated at around 160 million Euros, the company that managed the circuit, Parkalgar Servicos, was taken over by Portugal Capital Ventures, a Portuguese state-owned venture capitalist, thereby effectively placing the circuit under state management.

The circuit hosted the final round of the World Superbike Championship in November 2008 and was confirmed to host a round of the 2008-09 A1 Grand Prix season.

In October 2008, the Le Mans Series announced a 1000 km night race to be held in August 2009, while the FIA GT Championship announced the 7th round of the 2009 season would be held in September.

The circuit resembles the old Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps, mainly because of its constantly undulating nature. A1 GP driver Filipe Albuquerque enthused at the big downhill slopes and right-hand turns after the main straight, while commenting that the track is good for overtaking because of its width.

In late July 2020, following weeks of speculation, it was announced that Portimao was to host of the Formula One World Championship as organisers sought to revise a race schedule decimated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The race, the Heineken Portuguese Grand Prix, is scheduled for the weekend of 24/25 October and effectively replaces the United States Grand Prix at COTA.

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