Wikipedia

Algarve International Circuit

TheAlgarve International Circuit(Portuguese:Autódromo Internacional do Algarve), commonly referred to asPortimão Circuit,is a 4.653 km (2.891 mi) race circuit located inPortimão,Algarveregion, Portugal. The development includes a karting track, off-road track,technology park,five-star hotel, sports complex and apartments.[1]

Autódromo Internacional do Algarve


Configuration for FIA sanctioned events

Configuration for FIM sanctioned events
LocationPortimão,Algarve,Portugal
Time zoneWET(UTC+0)
WEST(April–October,UTC+1)
Coordinates37°13′55″N8°37′55″W/ 37.23194°N 8.63194°W/37.23194; -8.63194
Capacity100,000
FIA Grade1
Broke groundFebruary 2008;17 years ago(2008-02)
OpenedOctober 2008;16 years ago(2008-10)
Construction cost€195 million
ArchitectRicardo Pina
Major eventsCurrent:
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix(2020–present)
Algarve motorcycle Grand Prix(2021)
World SBK
(2008–2015, 2017–present)
ELMS4 Hours of Portimão(2009–2010, 2017–present)
TCR Europe(2022–2023, 2025)
Former:
Formula One
Portuguese Grand Prix(2020–2021)
FIA WEC6 Hours of Portimão(2021, 2023)
TCR World Tour(2023)
Ferrari Challenge Europe(2009–2011, 2013–2014, 2022, 2024)
DTM(2022)
WTCCRace of Portugal(2010, 2012)
FIM Endurance World Championship(2016)
GT2 European Series(2023)
A1 Grand Prix(2009)
FIA GT(2009)
Websitehttps://autodromodoalgarve
Grand Prix Circuit (2008–present)
Length4.653 km (2.891 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:18.750 (Lewis Hamilton,Mercedes W11,2020,F1)
Motorcycling Circuit (2008–present)
Length4.592 km (2.853 miles)
Turns15
Race lap record1:38.685 (Enea Bastianini,Ducati Desmosedici GP24,2024,MotoGP)
GP Circuit with Chicane (2008–2019)
Length4.684 km (2.911 miles)
Turns16
Race lap record1:32.113 (Diego Nunes,Dallara GP2/08,2009,GP2)
BMW Z4 (E89)in Portimão
B09/60 Lola-Aston Martin B09/60 driven by Stefan Mücke in the1000km do Algarve Race of the Le Mans Series 2009

The circuit was designed by Ricardo Pina, Arquitectos. The construction was finished in October 2008 and the circuit washomologatedby both theFIMon 11 October 2008 and theFIAtwo days later.[2]The total cost was €195 million (approximately $250 million).[citation needed]

The circuit

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Algarve International Circuit.

The circuit hosted the final round of theWorld Superbike Championshipon 2 November 2008.[1]On 9 June, the track was confirmed to host a round of the2008-09 A1 Grand Prix season.The race was set for the weekend of 12 April 2009. On 10 October 2008, theLe Mans Seriesannounced a 1000 km night race to be held at Algarve on 2 August 2009.[3]On 5 November 2008, theFIA GT Championshipannounced and 7th round of the2009 seasonwill be held at Algarve on 13 September 2009.[4]AFormula Onetest session, with theMcLarenandHondateams participating, was scheduled for 15–17 December 2008.Ferrarialso ran at Algarve.[5][6][7][8][9]Toyota also tested at the circuit on 20 January 2009 in the first outing of their newTF109chassis.[10]The circuit will also host the final round of the2009 GP2 Series seasonin September 2009.[11]From 2010 it hosteda roundof the FIAWorld Touring Car Championship.[12]

On 4 April 2009Max Mosleystated that based on the quality of the circuit it could integrate theFormula Onechampionship under the guise of thePortuguese Grand Prix,as long as a commercial agreement with theFormula One Managementwas achieved.[13]Due to changes to the 2020Formula Oneseason as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic,the Algarve International Circuit has by way of exception hosted the2020 Portuguese Grand Prix.[14]

The circuit resembles oldNürburgringandSpa-Francorchamps,mainly because of its constantly undulating nature.A1 Team Portugal's driverFilipe Albuquerqueobserved 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 of the circuit width.A1 Team New Zealand's driverEarl Bamberobserved 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 driverNicolas Prostcommented that the asphalt was new and the circuit has little grip.

The first episode ofThe Grand Tour,"The Holy Trinity"was shot here in 2016.

At the 2022Supersport 300 World Championship,Victor Steemandied causing fatal accident at this circuit while racing in the Race 1 Portimão round.[15]

After COVID-19 pandemic

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In July 2020 it was announced that the circuit would host the Formula OnePortuguese Grand Prixfrom 23 to 25 October, as part of a revised calendar arising from the disruption caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.This marked the first time a Portuguese Grand Prix had been held since the1996 race,which had taken place at theAutódromo do Estoril.The circuit hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix again in 2021 from 30 April to 2 May.[16]

In August 2020 it was announced that the circuit would host theMotoGPPortuguese motorcycle Grand Prixfrom 20 to 22 November, as part of a revised calendar arising from the disruption caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.On 10 August 2020, MotoGP announced that the coronavirus-hit season would end with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimão.[17]The circuit hosted the Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix again in 2021 from 16 to 18 April, and hosted a second event named theAlgarve Grand Prixfrom 5 to 7 November.

In January 2021 it was announced that the circuit would host theFIA World Endurance Championship8 Hours of Portimãoinstead of1000 Miles of Sebringon 4 April due to the disruption caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[18]However, on 5 March 2021; the round was postponed into the original date of2021 24 Hours of Le Mans,13 June in order to increase the possibility of fans being able to attend the race.[19]

For 2022, it was planned that the circuit would not host F1 and WEC races, but it would continue to host MotoGP, World SBK, andELMSraces. Besides them, it would hostDTM,TCR EuropeandLamborghini Super Trofeo World Finalfor the first time in 2022. In September 2022, it was announced that the circuit returned to the 2023 WEC calendar.

Craig Jones memorial

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The circuit is the site of a statue in tribute toCraig Jones,representing Jones on his motorbike after passing the finishing line. This statue will be the main part of amonument,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 alandscapesculpture,representing the main straight of a racing circuit, which extends up to the car park of the main grandstand. It has been confirmed that one of the corners of the circuit was named after former World Supersport riderCraig Joneswho was killed in a motorcycle crash atBrands Hatchin 2008.

Layout configurations

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  • Grand Prix Circuit withchicane(2008–2019)
  • Grand Prix Circuit (2008–present)
  • Motorcycling Circuit (2008–present)

Events

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Current
Former

Lap records

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As of August 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Algarve International Circuit are listed as:

Category Time Driver/Rider Vehicle Event
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.653 km (2008–present)
F1 1:18.750 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix
LMP2 1:29.670[20] Mikkel Jensen Aurus 01 2020 4 Hours of Portimão
LMH 1:30.919[21] Nicolas Lapierre Alpine A480 2021 8 Hours of Portimão
A1GP 1:31.404 Adam Carroll A1GP Powered by Ferrari car 2008–09 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Portugal
Superleague Formula 1:31.935 Andy Soucek Panoz DP09 2010 Portimão Superleague Formula round
LMP1 1:32.375[22] Nicolas Lapierre Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 2010 1000 km of Algarve
LMDh 1:33.077[23] Earl Bamber Cadillac V-Series.R 2023 6 Hours of Portimão
Formula 3000 1:33.594[24] Clivio Piccione Lola B05/52 2009 Portimão Euroseries 3000 round
FA1 1:33.808[25] Mirko Bortolotti Lola B05/52 2014 Portimão Formula Acceleration 1 round
Formula Renault 3.5 1:34.472[26] Jaime Alguersuari Dallara T08 2009 Portimão Formula Renault 3.5 Series round
F2 (2009–2012) 1:35.531[27] Mathéo Tuscher Williams JPH1 2012 Portimão Formula Two round
Euroformula Open 1:36.493[28] Louis Foster Dallara 320 2021 Portimão Euroformula Open round
LMP3 1:36.881[29] Matt Bell Ligier JS P320 2020 Portimão Le Mans Cup round
LM GTE 1:38.757[21] Miguel Molina Ferrari 488 GTE Evo 2021 8 Hours of Portimão
Formula Three 1:38.904[30] Jules Bianchi Dallara F309 2009 Portimão British F3 round
Formula Regional 1:39.684[31] Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. Tatuus F3 T-318-EC3 2024 Portimão Eurocup-3 round
LMPC 1:40.048[32] Jérôme d'Ambrosio[33] Oreca FLM09 2009 Algarve Formula Le Mans Cup round
GT3 1:40.795[29] Julien Andlauer Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 R 2020 Portimão Le Mans Cup round
GT1 (GTS) 1:41.828[34] Alex Müller Maserati MC12 GT1 2009 FIA GT Algarve 2 Hours
Lamborghini Super Trofeo 1:42.790[35] Loris Spinelli Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 2022 Lamborghini Super Trofeo World Final
Ferrari Challenge 1:42.997[36] Luca Ludwig Ferrari 296 Challenge 2024 Portimão Ferrari Challenge Europe round
SRO GT2 1:43.875[37] Pierre Kaffer Audi R8 LMS GT2 2023 Portimão GT2 European Series round
Formula 4 1:43.894[38] Noam Abramczyk[fr] Tatuus F4-T014 2021 Portimão F4 Spain round
Porsche Carrera Cup 1:44.582[39] Robert de Haan Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup 2023 Portimão Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe round
Radical Cup 1:45.145[40] Indy Al Miller Radical SR10 XXR 2023 Radical World Finals
JS P4 1:45.462[41] Gillian Henrion Ligier JS P4 2022 Portimão Ligier European Series round
GT2 1:47.198[34] Martin Ragginger[de] Porsche 911 (997 I) GT3-RSR 2009 FIA GT Algarve 2 Hours
GT4 1:49.932[42] Jamie Day Aston Martin Vantage GT4 2024 Portimão GT4 Winter Series round
JS2 R 1:51.490[43] Natan Bihel Ligier JS2 R 2020 Portimão Ligier European Series round
Alpine Elf Europa Cup 1:51.868[44] Ugo de Wilde Alpine A110 Cup 2021 Portimão Alpine Elf Europa Cup round
TCR Touring Car 1:52.319[45] Mikel Azcona Hyundai Elantra N TCR 2023 Portimão TCR World Tour round
Super 2000 1:54.542 Yvan Muller Chevrolet Cruze 1.6T 2012 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal
Pickup truck racing 1:57.396[46] Elon Murray MWV6 Pick Up 2014 Portimão MW-V6 Pickup Series round
Renault Clio Cup 2.04.323[47] Adrian Schimpf Renault Clio R.S. V 2024 Portimão Renault Clio Cup Europe round
Motorcycling Circuit: 4.592 km (2008–present)
MotoGP 1:38.685[48] Enea Bastianini Ducati Desmosedici GP24 2024 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix
World SBK 1:39.826[49] Toprak Razgatlıoğlu Yamaha YZF-R1 2023 Portimão World SBK round
Moto2 1:42.221[50] Fermín Aldeguer Boscoscuro B-24 2024 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix
World SSP 1:43.246[51] Yari Montella Ducati Panigale V2 2024 Portimão World SSP round
MotoE 1:46.313[52] Oscar Gutiérrez Ducati MotoE 2024 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix
Moto3 1:46.985[53] David Alonso CFMoto Moto3 2024 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix
World WCR 1:53.691[54] Sara Sánchez Yamaha YZF-R7 2024 Portimão World WCR round
Supersport 300 1:54.862[55] Matteo Vannucci[it] Yamaha YZF-R3 2024 Portimão Supersport 300 round
Grand Prix Circuit with Chicane: 4.684 km (2008–2019)
GP2 1:32.113 Diego Nunes Dallara GP2/08 2009 Algarve GP2 Series round
Formula Three 1:42.077[56] Felix Rosenqvist Dallara F315 2015 Portimão F3 round
Formula Renault 2.0 1:45.648[57] Albert Costa Tatuus FR2000 2009 Portimão Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup round

Notes

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References

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  2. ^"FIA homologa Autódromo do Algarve".Retrieved24 October2008.
  3. ^"The 2009 calendar is ready!".Le Mans Series.Archived fromthe originalon 19 November 2008.Retrieved12 October2008.
  4. ^"FIA GT 2009 calendar announced".fiagt. Archived fromthe originalon 10 December 2008.Retrieved6 November2008.
  5. ^"McLaren vai estrear Portimão em Novembro".Autosport.pt. Archived fromthe originalon 2 November 2008.Retrieved24 October2008.
  6. ^"Portimão: autódromo recebe McLaren Mercedes".Archived fromthe originalon 16 April 2009.Retrieved24 October2008.
  7. ^"McLaren plant Test in Portugal".Archived fromthe originalon 26 October 2008.Retrieved24 October2008.
  8. ^"McLaren confirm maiden Algarve test".Autosport.24 October 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2008.Retrieved24 October2008.
  9. ^"Honda to join McLaren in Algarve".Autosport. 24 October 2008.Archivedfrom the original on 27 October 2008.Retrieved24 October2008.
  10. ^"Toyota to hold low-key TF109 unveiling".ITV-F1. 26 November 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 1 December 2008.Retrieved26 November2008.
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  12. ^English, Steven (24 June 2009)."WTCC to Zolder and Algarve in 2010".autosport.Haymarket Publications.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related toAutódromo Internacional do Algarve.
  • Official website
  • Track maps and history at RacingCircuits.info
  • 3D preview of theCraig Jones Memorial,partially built, in the main access of the Algarve Motor Park - YouTube[1]
  • “Craig Jones remembered with statue honor” inAlgarve resident(30 October 2009)[2]
  • “Craig Jones memorial removed” inAlgarve resident(5 November 2009)[3]
  • (in Portuguese)”Paula Hespanhaexpõe estátua de Craig Jones” inJornal Hardmusica(October 2009)[4]
  • (in Portuguese)“Memorial Craig Jones em Portimão” inAtrox Mobilis – Motos e Mobilidade(22 October 2009) (contains a 3D preview of the Craig Jones Memorial)[5]
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