The circuit of Portimao has become an unexpected modern classic of the Formula 1. The pandemic has forced us to have him again in 2021, after his debut in 2020 where he left a more than entertaining race and one more record for Lewis Hamilton.
The relatively new Portuguese track is unprecedented for many drivers, including Fernando Alonso. The Spaniard has never filmed here, beyond some tests he carried out with Toyota in 2018 when he was immersed in the preparation for what later were his first 24 hours of Le Mans. It was also a wet test.
A different track, complex in some areas and very different from the two seen so far in the championship.
“I have only done one test here and in a lot of water conditions. It will be a totally different challenge this weekend in Portimão compared to Bahrain and Imola,” warns Alonso. “The circuit is a lot of fun to drive and I think in these Formula 1 cars It will be very exciting, especially with the enormous elevation changes, “he says. This will be a great factor to take into account, as already seen at the 2020 event.
OPINION | Alpine’s truck does not justify Ocon being ahead of Alonso
However, for Alonso it will be a difficult challenge. In Imola it already showed serious deficiencies in competitiveness, partly alleviated by that point ‘in extremis’ that he achieved for a sanction to Kimi Raikkonen. The ignorance of this circuit and the endemic problems that it has itself Alpine A521 do not invite optimism about Alonso’s options, and he warns that he will have “a learning curve to start with” to feel comfortable. The objective will be to score, but for this you will have to improve your feelings a lot.
Esteban Ocon, his partner, has experience here and already managed to score in 2020, with a discreet, but desirable right now, 8th place.