Ecclestone eyes Portugal’s return
Algarve circuit, Portugal © Rui Reis Bernie Ecclestone is showing interest in getting the Portuguese Grand Prix back in the Formula One calendar, now that the country has a new, state-of-the-art circuit in Algarve. For 13 years, between 1984 and 1996 the Portuguese Grand Prix was a very popular venue for teams and drivers, with the Estoril circuit holding the race and becoming a favourite test track during the winter season. But the facilities were never properly upgraded and, in the end, Ecclestone pulled the plug on the deal, cancelling the 1997 Grand Prix and replacing it with the European Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, in Spain, where Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve famously clashed in the World Championship decider. For the last 10 years, with the exception of Turkey and Valencia, Ecclestone has been moving the World Championship out of Europe, organising races in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Singapore and China, with deals already done to hold races in India and South Korea in the near future. But now it seems Ecclestone may be looking for new venues in Europe, as he’s concerned about the situation of the French, German and British Grand Prix and knows the teams will always demand at least half of the races to be held in Europe. The promised new Yvelines track, at Flins, close to Paris, will not be ready until 2011 even if everything goes according to plan. In Germany there are clear signs Hockenheim will not be able to hold the Grand Prix again and with the Nurburgring unable to finance it more than every two years, the race may disappear if Ecclestone tries to impose a yearly deal with the track. The new circuit in Algarve is already built and fully functional, having held two F1 tests since it was opened in December, and has been highly regarded by the teams and drivers. The circuit is 30 miles from an international airport with direct motorway access, and has more than one thousand hotels and resorts in the region. There is also the fact that the weather in the region allows Ecclestone to hold a race as early as in April or as late as in October without much risk of being caught by rain or cold. The big question, inevitably, will be money. If the Portuguese can raise the kind of money being paid in Asia and the Middle East then all things are possible, but if not then he is far more likely to stick with the traditional mainstream events. With courtesy of http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21150.html
Will the Formula 1 return to Portugal ?
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Updated: 23-Jan-2009
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Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton was in the Algarve on Wednesday putting the new McLaren-Mercedes MP4-25 through its paces at the Algarve Motor Park track near Portimão.
The British driver made his appearance with fellow team driver Heikki Kovalainen during a week of testing at the circuit.
This was the first time that Formula One racing had been in Portugal in an official capacity since Estoril lost its Grand Prix status.
Spanish star and double world champion Fernando Alonso was also at the track at the beginning of the week with team mate Nelson Piquet Junior as the new Renault R29 was unveiled to fans and press.
Both drivers expressed their satisfaction with the modifications made to the new car and cockpit while applauding the race track itself.
“It’s fantastic,” said Piquet, who compared the circuit’s undulations to those found at Spa or Istanbul.
“Great traction, very interesting and one of the best in the world – I feel at home!”
These sentiments were subsequently echoed by Williams’ Nico Hulkenerg, who enjoyed a first outing in the team’s FW31.
“It’s a great track,” the German test pilot said, “very safe, while offering challenging ups and downs, fast as well as tight bends- it is just a shame that the wet conditions do not allow us to push our cars to the limit at the moment.”
Although organisers and spectators alike must have been disappointed by the last-minute cancellation by Ferrari due to the adverse weather conditions, amid rumours that the latest F60 was not ready, there was still plenty of top machinery on view to the west of Portimão as Williams, Toro Rosso and Toyota also unveiled their 2009 cars.
Meanwhile, Parkalgar CEO Paulo Pinheiro negated the local implications of the financial crisis presently affecting motor sport.
“Our programme for the coming season has been confirmed in its entirety, there have been no withdrawals,” he said.
 Toyota battled against the elements during testing at the Algarve Motor Park. Photo: SUPPLIED |
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Defending the outstanding quality of his product, the driving force behind the long-standing Motor Park project said he was confident of its long-term success: “We will see if we can continue to make a difference.”
McLaren and Williams are both scheduled to return for further technical fine tuning between the 26th and 29th of this month and during the first week of February respectively.
Meanwhile the Parkalgar Honda team has been giving its riders Eugene Laverty and Miguel Praia a first chance to put their new 2009 CBR 600RR bikes through their paces in Almeria. Already familiar with the Spanish track from last year’s winter training, the Algarve’s very own Supersport team relished the opportunity to compare their progress with that of other teams present at the beginning of the week ahead of this weekend’s official World Superbike test back at their home track. This will be last time all the grid starters will be brought together ahead of the 2009 season which roars into life on Australia’s Philip Island on March 1.
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