New Algarve Circuit Praised as “Fantastic”
The new Algarve circuit, due to be hosting A1GP on 12 Apr, 2009, has been hailed as “fantastic” by Formula One drivers following their maiden test at the Portuguese track earlier this month.
Formula One made its debut at the Iberian track with a three-day test attended by the Ferrari and McLaren teams.
“It’s a fantastic track, it looks like a roller-coaster,” McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa was quoted as saying by Autosprint magazine.
“It’s enjoyable, especially for a test driver who normally always runs on the usual two-three tracks.
“From a physical point of view it’s not very demanding: I’d say it’s about as demanding as Jerez. However it’s possible that when the grip will increase because of the rubber laid on it, then it will be more demanding.”
Teammate Gary Paffett added: “This track is a constant challenge because it’s an alternation of uphill and downhill sections and it’s hard to find the braking point, just like it’s difficult to find the best line.
“With the track being slippery we didn’t make a big effort to find the optimal set-up, we used the settings used at Montmelo and Jerez, knowing that they would have worked fine.”
Circuit director Juan Alvarez said, however, that the track was yet to make a profit.
“We’ve put a lot of effort to improve the track but, considering the permanent structure required by F1, you need at least 20 test days in order to begin making a profit,” he said. “At the moment we have only eight testing days confirmed for 2009, and that’s not enough.”
Construction on the new track was finished two months ago, and A1GP will be the circuit’s first international race meeting, occurring on April 12, 2009.
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They need 20 days of testing for a profit, in an era where testing is going to be all but banned.
Juan Alvarez is director of the circuito de Jerez. The director of the Algarve circuit is Paulo Pinheiro.
Everything that Juan Alvarez said refers to circuito de Jerez.
Thanks.
Rui, this is the second time you’ve posted this. The first was deleted because frankly, you’re wrong.
You’re correct in thinking Alvarez is the director at Jerez but that doesn’t prevent him from being an official at both tracks.
I’d suggest you do that “Google thing,” and a search of “Circuit director Juan Alvarez.” You might learn where you went wrong.
The Parkalgar. S.A. is the entity that manages the circuit of algarve by the hands of Carlos Duarte and Paulo Pinheiro.
“Circuit director Paulo Pinheiro told Reuters on Monday that one F1 team had already booked the 4.7 km track in the south of Portugal for a test next January and there were talks in progress with others.” - just an example
http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2008/02/11/sports/OUKSP-UK-MOTOR-RACING-PORTUGAL.php
thanks.
http://en.f1-live.com/f1/en/headlines/news/detail/081218090049.shtml
I know what i’m saying
Rui, and your basing that on an 11 month old IHT article? Sorry guy, something more current and I might buy it.
‘Til then I’ll maintain the possibility of a race directorship change has occurred and supported by the many current stories stating just that via quotes attributed to “Algarve Race Director” Juan Alvarez.
“Paulo Pinheiro, Autodromo Internacional do Algarve director…”
http://www.euroweeklynews.com/news/12436.html
this news have less than a month
and i will give you more news if you want
the Italian magazine that published this news is wrong saying that Juan Alvarez was Director of the algarve circuit. It was only a translation mistake
and
before this news out in Italian magazine, I had already seen a news in a Portuguese magazine about these problems of the circuit of Jerez
Hello guys!
Rui is right, though! I’ve found this: http://autosport.aeiou.pt/gen.pl?p=stories&op=view&fokey=as.stories/63422
which exactly state what Juan Alvarez (and Rui) said: that J.Alvarez is the Jerez de La Frontera track’s Director and that the budget problems are related to low reservations for testing purposes, because of the new FIA rules, etc,etc….
just go to the link above and translate using Google.
Best regards,
Fred
PS: i know some portuguese because my wife is portuguese descendant, and knowing languages doesn’t heart anyone, right?
Fred… and so?
All you and Rui have proved is Alvarez is the Jerez track Director., that says nothing about the possibility he’s the track director at both venues.
Sorry, I stand be the original story.