The drivers are enthusiastic about the Algarve circuit

After their first tests on the Portuguese track a few days ago, the new Algarve circuit is considered fantastic by Formula 1 drivers.

A first test session was organized over three days. Only Ferrari and McLaren participated.

« It’s a fantastic track, » said McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa for Autosprint magazine.

« It’s an enjoyable track, especially for a test driver who is used to driving on two or three tracks. »

« From a physical point of view, it’s not very demanding: I would say on the same level as Jerez. However, depending on the grip, this requirement will evolve. »

His teammate Gary Paffett added: « This circuit is an ongoing challenge because it alternates between climbs and descents. It is difficult to find the braking point, just as it is difficult to find the best trajectory. »

« On slippery tracks, we didn’t make a big effort to find the best setup, we used the parameters from Barcelona and Jerez. »

« The track is still very slippery, the level of grip is very low. That is the main drawback, » commented the Spaniard Marc Gene.

« If six teams had been present, the problem would have been solved in a single day, but with two teams, it took us more time. But beyond this problem, the circuit seems fantastic. »

Finally, the director of the Juan Alvarez circuit specified that profits are not expected in the coming months.

We have put in a lot of effort to improve the track according to the FIA’s requirements. You need at least 20 days of testing to start making a profit. Currently, we only have eight confirmed test days for 2009, and that is not enough.