| Location | Portimão, Algarve, Portugal |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT |
| Major events | FIA Formula One (testing), Superleague Formula, GP2 Series, A1 Grand Prix Grand Prix of Nations, Portugal, World Series by Renault, FIM Superbike World Championship, FIA GT Championship Algarve 2 Hours, FIA GT3 European Championship Algarve 2 Hours, Le Mans Series 1000 km of Algarve, Euroseries 3000 |
| LMS Circuit | |
| Length | 4.648 km (2.905 mi) |
| Turns | 17 |
| Lap record | 1:30.681 (Nicolas Lapierre, ORECA Team Matmut, 2010, Peugeot 908 HDI FAP, LMP1) |
| GP Circuit | |
| Length | 4.692 km (2.915 mi) |
| Turns | 18 |
| Lap record | 1:31.404 (Adam Carroll, A1 Team Ireland, 2009, A1GP) |
| Motorcycling Circuit | |
| Length | 4.658 km (2.894 mi) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Lap record | 1:42.774 (Max Biaggi, Aprilia Alitalia Racing, 2010, SBK) |
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve commonly referred to as Portimao Circuit is a 4.692 km (2.915 mi) race circuit located in Portimão, Portugal. With a total cost of €195 million (approximately $250 million), the project includes a karting track, technology park, five-star hotel, sports complex and apartments.[1]
Construction was finished in October 2008 and the circuit was homologated by both the FIM on 11 October 2008 and the FIA two days later.[2]
The circuit was designed by Ricardo Pina, Arquitectos. In October 2010 the teams agreed to add the Portimao Circuit to the Formula One testing roster along with Bahrain.[3]
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The circuit hosted the final round of the World Superbike Championship on 2 November 2008.[1] On 9 June, the track was confirmed to host a round of the 2008-09 A1 Grand Prix season. The race was set for the weekend of 12 April 2009. On 10 October 2008, the Le Mans Series announced a 1000 km night race to be held at Algarve on 2 August 2009.[4] On 5 November 2008, the FIA GT Championship announced and 7th round of the 2009 season will be held at Algarve on 13 September 2009.[5] A Formula One test session, with the McLaren and Honda teams participating, was scheduled for 15–17 December 2008. Ferrari has also ran at Algarve.[6][7][8][9][10] Toyota also tested at the circuit on 20 January 2009 in the first outing of their new TF109 chassis.[11] The circuit will also host the final round of the 2009 GP2 Series season in September 2009.[12] From 2010 it will host a round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship.[13]
On April 4, 2009 Max Mosley stated that based on the quality of the circuit it could integrate the Formula One championship under the guise of the Portuguese Grand Prix, as long as a commercial agreement with the Formula One Management is achieved.[14]
The circuit match old Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps because of its constantly undulating nature.[15] A1 Team Portugal's driver Filipe Albuquerque observed that there are big downhill slopes and right-hand turns after the main straight. He also commented that the track is good for overtaking because the circuit looks wide.[16] A1 Team New Zealand's driver Earl Bamber observed that there are many special turns with personality. He commented that the new circuit is a little bit dangerous like the old school circuits with a roller coaster ride. A1 Team France's driver Nicolas Prost commented that the asphalt is new and the circuit has little grip.[17]
It has been confirmed that one of the corners of the circuit was named after former World Supersport rider Craig Jones who was killed in a motorcycle crash at Brands Hatch in 2008.[18]
On 2009, October 22, a tribute ceremony occurred, with the exhibition of a provisional statue, created by the Portuguese sculptress Paula Hespanha, representing Craig Jones on his motorbike after passing the finishing line. This statue will be the main part of a monument, already partially built, which also includes the architectural arrangement of the main access roundabout to the racetrack, created by Paula Hespanha and Portuguese architect Manuel Pedro Ferreira Chaves. This monument is a landscape sculpture, representing the main straight of a racing circuit, which extends up to the car park of the main grandstand. This large-scale artistic intervention serves to frame the statue but will also be useful as an access that will allow pedestrian approach to the statue. [19] The owner of Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and Parkalgar racing team, Paulo Pinheiro, declared: "it is a very special thanks to Craig Jones who will be forever immortalized in our memories. This tribute will keep alive the admiration and respect for the work of Craig in the motorcycling world ".[20] "This monument will ensure that Craig Jones will never be forgotten."[21]
The inauguration of the marble and stainless steel statue was expected to occur in 2010. If completed in 2011, this will be the only stone statue in the world representing a motorbike. [22][23]
| Season | Date | Sprint Race Winning Driver | Sprint Race Winning Team | Feature Race Winning Driver | Feature Race Winning Team | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | 12 April 2009 | Robert Doornbos | Netherlands | Neel Jani | Switzerland | Report |