Track Focus: Estoril
Added on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Track Focus: Estoril
Built on the rocky plateau near the village of Alcabideche, around half an hour’s drive from the Portuguese capital Lisbon, the Estoril circuit plays host to the Portuguese Motorcycle Grand Prix.
The Circuito Estoril, constructed in 1972, was originally known more for being a calling point in Formula One, hosting the Portuguese F1 Grand Prix from 1984 before Portugal was removed from the F1 calendar entirely in 1996.
After a four year absence from any form of grand prix racing, MotoGP finally landed in Portugal in 2000, with the only previous Portuguese motorcycle grand prix being held in 1987, across the border in Jerez, Spain.
Despite a series of sweeping turns throughout the circuit, the majority of which being towards the right hand side, the dominant factor of the current Estoril is without doubt the huge pit straight, stretching some 1,200m from turn 13 down to turn one. Amongst the longest straights in MotoGP, it’s feature that will massively benefit the likes of the returning Casey Stoner on the Ducati and the lightweight Dani Pedrosa.
That said, it is none other than Valentino Rossi is the undisputed king of Estoril, having won five out of the ten premier class events held at the circuit, the last of which coming in 2007. The remaining four wins came consecutively between 2001 and 2004 and since the Portuguese GP came to Estoril in 2000, the Italian has never missed out on a podium place.
Other current riders with fond memories of the circuit include Rossi’s teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, who broke the track record last year as he raced to victory, Toni Elias, who won in 2006 and took the 250cc events in 2003 and 2004. Other riders with success in the support classes include Andrea Dovizioso (250 win in 2006), Casey Stoner (250 win in 2005) and Mika Kallio, who took the 125 race in 2005.
Track Focus: Autódromo do Estoril, Portugal
| Location | Alcabideche, near Estoril, Portugal | Google Maps |
| Opened | 1972 |
| First MotoGP | 2000 |
| Length | 4.128km (2.599mi) |
| Turns | 13 (4 Left, 9 Right) |
| Lap Record | Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2008: 1:37.404 |
| 2008 Winner | Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) |
