The only positive point of the coronavirus: Formula 1 broke the norms this 2020 season. Forced to adapt, the premier discipline called on European circuits to the rescue, to replace distant destinations like Singapore, Japan, or the United States, where a Grand Prix was supposed to take place this weekend on the Austin track.<\/p>\n
Instead of America, we will go to Portugal and discover the Algarve International Circuit, near the city of Portimao!<\/p>\n
Located in the Algarve region, in the extreme southwest of Portugal and 15 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, the Portimao circuit was officially inaugurated in October 2008. It hosted Formula 1 at the end of 2008 for pre-season private testing: Lewis Hamilton drove on the circuit in his McLaren at the time.<\/p>\n
With a length of 4.69 kilometers, the layout looks exciting on paper, featuring 15 turns and elevation changes. There are many long curves, including the first right-hand turn, which should be taken at 200 km\/h. There’s also the double right (\u201cGalp\u201d), which leads onto the long start\/finish straight.<\/p>\n
Other sections are more winding, with a few slow turns in the middle of the circuit. The “rollercoaster” of Portimao actually resembles the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.<\/p>\n
With the asphalt resurfaced a few weeks ago, the grip could surprise drivers from the first practice sessions on Friday!<\/p>\n
Like Mugello, the Portuguese track has never hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. No worries, however, for the manufacturer Pirelli, who stated they have “a good idea” of tire degradation. Note that drivers will test for the first time the new 13-inch tires, to be used in F1 next season.<\/p>\n
All this in front of 27,500 spectators, the maximum capacity set by the FIA, due to the active spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Portugal. 46,000 tickets had initially been put on sale.<\/p>\n
\n#F1<\/a> is about to hop on one or racing’s best known rollercoasters: Portimao. #PortugueseGP<\/a> ???????? #Fit4F1<\/a>
More info: https:\/\/t.co\/37rrKBhgeX<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/J78YER7We9<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\n <\/strong><\/td>\n Writer<\/td>\n Pole <\/td>\n Race: winner<\/td>\n Race: 2nd<\/td>\n Race: 3rd<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1<\/strong><\/td>\n Romain Mathon <\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Gasly<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2<\/strong><\/td>\n Matthieu Piccon:<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Bottas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3<\/strong><\/td>\n Alexandre Lep\u00e8re & Guillaume Pinquet<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Bottas<\/td>\n P\u00e9rez<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4<\/strong><\/td>\n Thibaud Comparot & Hugo Carretero<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Bottas<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 5<\/strong><\/td>\n Alexandre Gyr<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Sainz<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 6<\/strong><\/td>\n Nicolas Lerooy<\/td>\n Bottas<\/td>\n Bottas<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Sainz<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 7<\/strong><\/td>\n Nico Lherm:<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Ricciardo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 8<\/strong><\/td>\n Samy Derradji <\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n Bottas<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 9<\/strong><\/td>\n Charline Menant & Nicolas Ntsiabaka & Carine Comite<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Hamilton<\/td>\n Bottas<\/td>\n Verstappen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n And you, who are your favorites for the Portuguese Grand Prix?<\/b><\/p>\n