SF Races

Portimão

The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is a 4.692 km race circuit located in Portimão. It includes a karting track, technology park and other services.

How to get there:

Autodromo Internacional do Algarve
Sitio do Escampadinho, Mexilhoeira Grande
8500 - 130 Portimão
Algarve - Portugal

Weekend Schedule

The perfect location

The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will be located near the city of Portimão, in Sítio do Escampadinho in the parish of Mexilhoeira Grande to be precise, about 4.5 kilometres north of the Algarve motorway (A22), with a direct road link via the motorway exit at Mexilhoeira Grande. The cities of Portimão and Lagos will thus be only a 10-minute drive from the Algarve Motor Park.

The Algarve: plenty to experience

The Algarve is a top holiday destination with a strong international image based on its mild climate, the friendliness of its people and its fabulous cuisine.
There are also a wide range of leisure pursuits on offer in the Algarve, including game fishing and water-sports, riding and golf, which is one of the most widespread and fastest developing sports in the Algarve, attracting thousands of golfers from all over the world every year.
The quality and comfort of the Algarve's hotels and casinos provide the ideal conditions for receiving the thousands of exacting visitors who return year after year.

The Algarve Motor Park

The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, which will be one of the most modern and multi-functional race circuits in the world, is the key facility in the project, where it is planned to hold a wide range of activities and sports, commercial and leisure events.

The Circuit

The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve 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.

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.

The circuit hosted the final round of the World Superbike Championship on 2 November, 2008. 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. 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. 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. Toyota also tested at the circuit on 20 January 2009 in the first outing of their new TF109 chassis. The circuit will also host the final round of the 2009 GP2 Series season in September 2009. From 2010 it will host a round of the FIA World Touring Car Championship and the SF Round 9 Portugal.

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.

The circuit match old Nürburgring and Spa-Francorchamps because of its constantly undulating nature. 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. 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. 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.

Circuit website:
http://www.autodromoalgarve.com.pt