The Portimao F1 Circuit, also known as the Algarve International Circuit, will make its Formula 1 debut with the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix.
Formula One will welcome a new race track this season, after it confirmed Portimao, alongside Nurburgring and Imola. Portimao will be the fourth Portuguese circuit after Porto, Monsanto and Estoril to host an F1 Grand Prix. Here’s everything you need to know about the F1 debutant.
Aryton Senna called Algarve his home
Though officially known as the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, it is more popular locally as Portimao. The race – on October 23-25 – will be known as the Heineken Portuguese Grand Prix.
Interestingly, Algarve was the base of the legendary Artyon Senna, with him even owning a villa there. Apart from this, Daniel Ricciardo, Charles Leclerc and Valtteri Bottas raced at the track during their junior years.
With a cost of just under 200 million Euros, Portimao was inaugurated in 2008. This 100,000 capacity circuit, designed by Ricardo Pina, was completed in just seven months. The main project consists of a karting track, a five-star hotel, and a sports complex.
F1 added the 4.69 km race track testing roster with the 2008-09 winter testing held there. This season, it will make its Formula One debut alongside Italy’s Mugello.
Also read: All you need to know about Ferrari-owned Mugello
Portimao’s tryst with motorsports
It consists of a lot of elevation changes, much like the circuit in Austin, USA. But the highlight of the circuit is the double-apex Portimao corner, inspired by the Acque Minerali corner of Imola.
Portimao has hosted notable events like the Superleague Formula, GP2 Series, Superbike World Championship and Le Mans. And come October 25, it will have hosted the prestigious form of motorsports racing. No wonder, the circuit built for modern competitive racing, has a Grade 1 accreditation by FIA.
