Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
The Algarve International Circuit in Portimão: a hilly 4.653 km circuit opened in 2008, host of F1, MotoGP and the WEC.
The Algarve International Circuit, also called the Portimão Circuit, is in Portimão, in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Construction finished in October 2008 and the first race, a World Superbike round, was held on 2 November 2008.[1],[2]
The Grand Prix circuit is 4.653 kilometres long with 15 turns. It was designed by the architecture firm Ricardo Pina.[1],[2]
At a glance
| Town | Portimão, Algarve, Portugal[1],[2] |
|---|---|
| Country | Portugal |
| Endurance series | ELMS |
| Period | 2008-present |
| Construction finished | October 2008[1],[2] |
| Length | 4.653 km, 15 turns[1],[2] |
| First race | 2 November 2008 (Superbike)[1],[2] |
Landmarks of the circuit
- A roller-coaster profile
- The circuit is compared to the old Nürburgring and to Spa-Francorchamps for its constantly undulating nature. Driver Earl Bamber described it as a "roller coaster ride".[1]
- A recent Formula 1 venue
- The Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix was held there in 2020 and 2021, won both times by Lewis Hamilton.[1],[2]
- Motorcycles
- The circuit hosted its first MotoGP Grand Prix from 20 to 22 November 2020.[2]
Key dates
- October 2008 — Construction ends; the circuit is homologated by the FIM on 11 October and by the FIA two days later.[1]
- 2 November 2008 — First race, the final round of the 2008 World Superbike Championship.[1],[2]
- 2009 — The 1000 km of Portimão, a Le Mans Series race, is the first night race in the circuit's history.[2]
- Since 2017 — The 4 Hours of Portimão of the European Le Mans Series are back.[1]
- 2020-2021 — The circuit hosts the Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix and, in 2021, a round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).[1],[2]
In the game
This circuit is part of the Circuit game: a heavily zoomed photo of one of its landmarks that you have to recognise. Play Circuit
Sources
The numbers in brackets refer to the sources listed at the bottom of the page.