 | |
 Configuration for FIA sanctioned events | |
 Configuration for FIM sanctioned events | |
| Location | Portimão, Algarve, Portugal |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 37°13′55″N8°37′55″W / 37.23194°N 8.63194°W /37.23194; -8.63194 |
| Capacity | 100,000 |
| FIA Grade | 1[1] |
| Broke ground | February 2008; 17 years ago (2008-02) |
| Opened | October 2008; 17 years ago (2008-10) |
| Construction cost | €195 million |
| Architect | Ricardo Pina |
| Major events | Current: Grand Prix motorcycle racing Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix (2020–present) Algarve motorcycle Grand Prix (2021) World SBK (2008–2015, 2017–present) ELMS4 Hours of Portimão (2009–2010, 2017–present) TCR Europe (2022–2023, 2025) Future: GT World Challenge Europe (2014–2015, 2026) Ferrari Challenge Europe (2009–2011, 2013–2014, 2022, 2024, 2026) Former: Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix (2020–2021) FIA WEC6 Hours of Portimão (2021, 2023) TCR World Tour (2023) DTM (2022) WTCCRace of Portugal (2010, 2012) FIM Endurance World Championship (2016) A1 Grand Prix (2009) FIA GT (2009) |
| Website | https://autodromodoalgarve.com |
| Grand Prix Circuit (2008–present) | |
| Length | 4.653 km (2.891 mi) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:18.750 ( Lewis Hamilton,Mercedes W11,2020,F1) |
| Motorcycling Circuit (2008–present) | |
| Length | 4.592 km (2.853 mi) |
| Turns | 15 |
| Race lap record | 1:38.237 ( Pedro Acosta,KTM RC16,2025,MotoGP) |
| GP Circuit with Chicane (2008–2019) | |
| Length | 4.684 km (2.911 mi) |
| Turns | 16 |
| Race lap record | 1:32.113 ( Diego Nunes,Dallara GP2/08,2009,GP2) |
TheAlgarve International Circuit (Portuguese:Autódromo Internacional do Algarve), also known as thePortimão Circuit, is a 4.653 km (2.891 mi) race circuit located inPortimão,Algarve region, Portugal. The development includes a karting track, off-road track,technology park, five-star hotel, sports complex and apartments.[2]
The circuit was designed by Ricardo Pina, Arquitectos. The construction was finished in October 2008 and the circuit washomologated by both theFIM on 11 October 2008 and theFIA two days later.[3] The total cost was €195 million (approximately $250 million).[citation needed]
%2c_by_Klugschnacker_in_Wikipedia_(25).JPG)
 | This article needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(November 2010) |
The circuit hosted the final round of theWorld Superbike Championship on 2 November 2008.[2] On 9 June, the track was confirmed to host a round of the2008-09 A1 Grand Prix season. The race was set for the weekend of 12 April 2009. On 10 October 2008, theLe Mans Series announced a 1000 km night race to be held at Algarve on 2 August 2009.[4] On 5 November 2008, theFIA GT Championship announced and 7th round of the2009 season will be held at Algarve on 13 September 2009.[5] AFormula One test session, with theMcLaren andHonda teams participating, was scheduled for 15–17 December 2008.Ferrari also ran at Algarve.[6][7][8][9][10] Toyota also tested at the circuit on 20 January 2009 in the first outing of their newTF109 chassis.[11] The circuit also hosted the final round of the2009 GP2 Series season in September 2009.[12] From 2010 it hosteda round of theFIA World Touring Car Championship.[13]
On 4 April 2009,Max Mosley stated that based on the quality of the circuit it could integrate theFormula One championship under the guise of thePortuguese Grand Prix, as long as a commercial agreement with theFormula One Management was achieved.[14] Due to changes to the 2020Formula One season as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic, the Algarve International Circuit has by way of exception hosted the2020 Portuguese Grand Prix.[15]
The circuit resembles oldNürburgring andSpa-Francorchamps, mainly because of its constantly undulating nature.A1 Team Portugal's driverFilipe Albuquerque observed that there are big downhill slopes and right-hand turns after the main straight. He also commented that the track is good for overtaking because of the circuit width.A1 Team New Zealand's driverEarl Bamber observed that there are many special turns with personality. He commented that the new circuit is a little bit dangerous like the old school circuits with a roller coaster ride.A1 Team France's driverNicolas Prost commented that the asphalt was new and the circuit has little grip.
The first episode ofThe Grand Tour,"The Holy Trinity" was shot here in 2016.
At the 2022Supersport 300 World Championship,Victor Steeman died causing fatal accident at this circuit while racing in the Race 1 Portimão round.[16]
In July 2020 it was announced that the circuit would host the Formula OnePortuguese Grand Prix from 23 to 25 October, as part of a revised calendar arising from the disruption caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first time a Portuguese Grand Prix had been held since the1996 race, which had taken place at theAutódromo do Estoril. The circuit hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix again in 2021 from 30 April to 2 May.[17]
In August 2020 it was announced that the circuit would host theMotoGPPortuguese motorcycle Grand Prix from 20 to 22 November, as part of a revised calendar arising from the disruption caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic. On 10 August 2020, MotoGP announced that the coronavirus-hit season would end with the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimão.[18] The circuit hosted the Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix again in 2021 from 16 to 18 April, and hosted a second event named theAlgarve Grand Prix from 5 to 7 November.
In January 2021 it was announced that the circuit would host theFIA World Endurance Championship8 Hours of Portimão instead of1000 Miles of Sebring on 4 April due to the disruption caused by theCOVID-19 pandemic.[19] However, on 5 March 2021; the round was postponed into the original date of2021 24 Hours of Le Mans, 13 June in order to increase the possibility of fans being able to attend the race.[20]
For 2022, it was planned that the circuit would not host F1 and WEC races, but it would continue to host MotoGP, World SBK, andELMS races. Besides them, it would hostDTM,TCR Europe andLamborghini Super Trofeo World Final for the first time in 2022. In September 2022, it was announced that the circuit returned to the 2023 WEC calendar.
The circuit is the site of a statue in tribute toCraig Jones, representing Jones on his motorbike after passing the finishing line. This statue will be the main part of amonument, already partially built, which also includes the architectural arrangement of the main access roundabout to the racetrack, created by Paula Hespanha and Portuguese architect Manuel Pedro Ferreira Chaves.This monument is alandscapesculpture, representing the main straight of a racing circuit, which extends up to the car park of the main grandstand. It has been confirmed that one of the corners of the circuit was named after former World Supersport riderCraig Jones who was killed in a motorcycle crash atBrands Hatch in 2008.
As of November 2025, the fastest official race lap records at the Algarve International Circuit are listed as:
