Journeyer- Good idea about forcing a choice between Barcelona or Valencia- make them do a Germany- style deal and share the event. However, as long as Fernando and Bernie are both in F1, we all know Spain is going to get their two GPs each season.

Milos/aok- I wrote the article and completed my correspondence with Mr. Pinheiro before the FIA inspection and the dropping of Canada- my fault for not asking Keith to provide some updated info on the dates of my work. aok, very good inside info and it seems to be a great venue, so we will see how the first few events play out.

Robert- Indeed I was very curious about who designed the track. I was kicking myself after sending the questions for not asking about it and got a hidden blessing when Mr. Pinheiro address it anyway. I don’t know how much that would factor into getting an F1 date, but the management are playing it smart by developing the circuit and offering a full schedule of events without basing it all around hopes for F1.

DanielPT- As a native of Portugal, you obviously know a heck of alot more about the region than me. But on some of your points, I think the Algarve region appears very friendly to VIPs and tourists- for sure not a Magny-Cours. Also, it would be good for their causes to have a native driver, but many of the other new stops have never even had an F1 prospect, never mind a World Champion. Lastly, included in the development is a multi-configuration karting track that includes several tracks and a complete pits complex.

Again, my thanks everyone

Like Catalunya, it looks like it’d be more fun on a motorcycle than in a car, and even in the motorcycles Estoril was probably the better venue.

Not to be too negative.

I suppose we should reserve judgement for when there is actually a grand prix scheduled there, or for when a car takes a lap, since I thought Valencia was going to be awe-inspiring before I saw a car run on it.

First off all, Mr Ecclestone’s grand prix fees. They are too high already and without any hopes of falling in near future. At least as long as somebody is willing to pay like this to receive a GP. And since there are lots of them in the waiting line, fees are only to get higher. Portugal doesn’t have a lot of money. At least not oil money.
Second, it is not designed by Tilke, who is the only ‘official’ circuit designer around. There aren’t many new circuits in the calendar which were not designed by him.
Third, it is not flat. That seems, unfortunately, a shared characteristic in new circuits.
Fourth, it is not an exotic place like Singapure, Valencia docks, Abu Dhabi, Bahrein, India or even Malaysia. F1 seems to change to exotic locations nowadays. Maybe Caraibean Grand Prix is only a few years away. Ecclestone will construct a venue there for his deep pocket friends that own an island nearby. Anyway, that should have more attendance than Bahrain.
Fifth, Spain has already 2 GPs that are relatively close from Algarve. Unless that changes i do not see them do another GP in the same region. But, of course, if Ecclestone wants to call it Formula 1 Iberian Championship…
Sixth, Portugal doesn’t have a world championship winner in F1 ranks. Today not even an F1 driver. And that, despite Alvaro Parente and Filipe Albuquerque, doesn’t seems to be changing any time soon.
Last but not the least, it looks more like a karting venue than a big F1 circuit.

Overall I think it looks pretty good. Very similar layout to Estoril, but that’s not a bad thing. There’s a crest between turn 4 and 5 that seems quite severe. Same with the crest at the beginning of the main straight. I was under the impression that those sort of rises and crests were not really possible under the FIA regs. But if they are, that’s a good thing for F1, in my opinion. We just need track designers who will take advantage of it.

I’d like to see Barcelona dropped for a year so F1 can give this track a go.