PORTUGUESE GP

30 April-2 May 2021 Autódromo Internacional do Algarve

THE MAIN EVENT

The twisty, undulating track near Portimao on the Atlantic coast has ridden to the rescue again, filling the gap in the calendar left by the postponed Vietnamese Grand Prix. A popular venue for many disciplines of racing, it proved unexpectedly challenging for the Formula 1 teams last year when the circuit owners decided to resurface the track a few weeks before the grand prix. The result was a slippery surface which yielded far less grip than expected, even in the balmy weather conditions which prevailed at the time.

Offset strategies made for a most entertaining race in 2020 even though the driver who started on pole eventually won. Now that the surface has matured a bit and the teams and the tyre supplier have more data at their disposal, we may not see a repeat of such drama, but it’s a delightful and challenging circuit nonetheless.

2020 RACE RECAP

Lewis Hamilton broke Michael Schumacher’s record of 91 GP victories by winning from pole, but it was Mclaren’s Carlos Sainz who starred in the early laps as he and a clutch of other drivers starting on Pirelli’s soft tyres set the pace. Sainz’s lead lasted until lap six before the medium rubber switched on and more regular service was resumed.

Hamilton looked to be struggling early on, particularly on the opening lap, and Bottas opened up a lead of three seconds after they passed the Mclaren. But once Hamilton got his tyres up to temperature he found more pace and surged by his team-mate to win by a crushing 25 seconds.

KEY CORNER: TURN 10-11 A blind-entry double-apex right-hander, this is undoubtedly the most challenging section on the circuit. This is the kind of corner even the best drivers feel they haven’t quite nailed.

RACE DATA

Circuit Autódromo Internacional do Algarve First GP 2020

Number of laps 66

Circuit length 2.891 miles Longest straight 0.602 miles Race distance 190.65 miles Lap record 1m18.750s, Lewis Hamilton (2020)

F1 races held 1

Winners from pole 1

Pirelli compounds C1, C2, C3

CAR PERFORMANCE Downforce level High Cooling requirement Medium Full throttle 70%

Top speed 201mph Average speed 126mph

TIMETABLE

Friday 30 April Practice 1 11.30-12.30 Practice 2 15:00-16.00 Saturday 1 May Practice 3 12:00-13.00 Qualifying 15:00-16.00 Sunday 2 May Race 15:00

Live coverage Sky Sports F1 Highlights Channel 4

THE WINNER HERE… 2020

Lewis Hamilton Mercedes