Portuguese Formula One Grand Prix
Built in Estoril, a seaside resort near Lisbon, the new Autodromo do Estoril soon became a favourite with F1 drivers thanks to it's elevation changes and it's tight and difficult nature.
After hosting many junior formulae and Formula Two European Championship races during the 1970's, a total of 13 Grand Prix were held there between 1984 and 1996. Following the disastrous deaths of Ayrton Senna and Austrian driver Roland Ratzenburger at Imola in 1994, the circuits organisers became increasingly preoccupied with safety. The 2.72 mile layout was modifed to replace the very fast Tanque Corner with a much slower complex of corners known collectively as Gancho, and the Parabolica bend leading on to the start/finish straight was renamed in Sienna's honor. Although F1 Grand Prix racing continued at Estoril for another three seasons, it became clear that even in its modified form, the circuit was simply too dangerous for the latest generation of Formula One cars. It did continue hosting major events including the FAI GT Championships, the DTM series, and more recently a round of the A1 Grand Prix and even The Portuguese Motorcycle Grand Prix. Estoril was suggested as the venue for the 1997 European Grand Prix, but in the end it was decided it could not reach the required safety standards so the idea was dropped. |
AUTODROMO DO ESTORIL
LOCATION: Estoril, Portugal
CIRCUIT TYPE: Permanent Circuit
CIRCUIT LENGTH: 2.72 Miles
LAP RECORD: 1:22.446 - D.Coultard 1994
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