FORMULA One’s drivers are in for a treat this weekend. Portimao, in the Algarve, is one of the most thrilling race tracks to have been built this century, full of sweeping curves and changing gradients that strain the neck and slosh the organs around at high speed.
F1 has tested here before, but never raced. Previously held at Estoril, this will be the first Portuguese Grand Prix in 24 years.
A well-balanced car will be a must, and under-fire Ferrari are bringing aerodynamic updates to try to make their wayward SF1000 more planted. You would not bet against Charles Leclerc grabbing a fourth or fifth place, while Sebastian Vettel says he is fighting for his dignity.
Praising Leclerc, Vettel has repeated how difficult this season is proving, especially as he knows he is leaving Scuderia.
‘This car is not easy to drive for both of us,’ said Vettel. ‘Charles regularly squeezes the maximum out of it. From my side, it’s a very different year. Knowing you’re going to part ways, it’s a different sort of love story. I’ll try to close the chapter here with dignity and try to get myself back together.’
All signs point to it being a Mercedes track — if Lewis Hamilton wins, it will be a record-breaking 92nd grand-prix victory — but Red Bull and Renault should not be far off. The Enstone-based team scored their first podium in five years at the Nurburgring, courtesy of Daniel Ricciardo. They are sixth in the standings, ahead of Ferrari with McLaren and Racing Point both within six points. With six top-five finishes so far this season, it is time we started to take them seriously.
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