Ecclestone eyes Portugal's return!!! | FerrariChat

Ecclestone eyes Portugal's return!!!

Discussion in 'Portugal' started by ClassicFerrari, Feb 2, 2009.

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  1. ClassicFerrari

    ClassicFerrari F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 7, 2004
    16,798
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Vasco
    http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21150.html

    Ecclestone eyes Portugal's return
    Algarve circuit, Portugal
    © Rui Reis

    Bernie Ecclestone is showing interest in getting the Portuguese Grand Prix back in the Formula One calendar, now that the country has a new, state-of-the-art circuit in Algarve. For 13 years, between 1984 and 1996 the Portuguese Grand Prix was a very popular venue for teams and drivers, with the Estoril circuit holding the race and becoming a favourite test track during the winter season. But the facilities were never properly upgraded and, in the end, Ecclestone pulled the plug on the deal, cancelling the 1997 Grand Prix and replacing it with the European Grand Prix in Jerez de la Frontera, in Spain, where Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve famously clashed in the World Championship decider.

    For the last 10 years, with the exception of Turkey and Valencia, Ecclestone has been moving the World Championship out of Europe, organising races in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Singapore and China, with deals already done to hold races in India and South Korea in the near future.

    But now it seems Ecclestone may be looking for new venues in Europe, as he's concerned about the situation of the French, German and British Grand Prix and knows the teams will always demand at least half of the races to be held in Europe. The promised new Yvelines track, at Flins, close to Paris, will not be ready until 2011 even if everything goes according to plan. In Germany there are clear signs Hockenheim will not be able to hold the Grand Prix again and with the Nurburgring unable to finance it more than every two years, the race may disappear if Ecclestone tries to impose a yearly deal with the track.

    The new circuit in Algarve is already built and fully functional, having held two F1 tests since it was opened in December, and has been highly regarded by the teams and drivers. The circuit is 30 miles from an international airport with direct motorway access, and has more than one thousand hotels and resorts in the region. There is also the fact that the weather in the region allows Ecclestone to hold a race as early as in April or as late as in October without much risk of being caught by rain or cold.

    The big question, inevitably, will be money. If the Portuguese can raise the kind of money being paid in Asia and the Middle East then all things are possible, but if not then he is far more likely to stick with the traditional mainstream events.
     
  2. ClassicFerrari

    ClassicFerrari F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 7, 2004
    16,798
    Toronto
    Full Name:
    Vasco
    I don't know about you....but I have my fingers and toes crossed! :D
     
  3. joao_sv

    joao_sv Formula 3

    Sep 17, 2006
    1,507
    Sintra.
    Full Name:
    João Pedro.
    Pode ser que volte a Portugal, o autodromo foi feito para receber a formula 1 e claro entre outros mas este o mais importante.
    Cumps e que voltemos a ter um grande premio em Portugal :D
     
  4. F430Modena

    F430Modena F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2005
    3,182
    Portugal
    Ja ouvi algo na TSF que para haver F1 em Portugal e preciso o estado portugues pagar cerca 1,5 M Euros...
     
  5. FerrariBoyCb

    FerrariBoyCb Karting

    Aug 24, 2006
    195
    Portugal
    Full Name:
    Joao
    O estado ainda deve 1milhao qualquer coisa assim das edições anteriores do Rally de Portugal, uma prova que está em risco de não se realizar este ano se o governo nao regularizar o que deve ao ACP. Eu acredito que a F1 podera vir para Portugal , mas para isso noa deve estar no Governo o Manuel Pinho e muito menos a Ferreira Leite, pois se um o que diz hoje amanha é mentira, a Leite acha desnecesario qualquer evento que seja "esbanjador" de dinheiro.

    era bom que a região de turismo do Algarve arranja-se um parceiro economico bastante bom para poder ficar independente do estado Portugues e de qualquer organismo governamental, nao sei até que ponto o Domingos Piedade e o Ecclestone nao serao fulcrais nesta nova era da F1 em Portugal, o schumacher gostou do circuito achou-o muito exigente, o hamilton parece nao ter desgostado e o Massa na altura que esteve cá em Dezembro disse estar satisfeito por poder conhcer este circuito, podera ser um circuito tipo jerez de la frontera onde o campeonato de F1 aparece uma vez em 10 anos, mas pode muito bem ser diferente e eu acredito que temos capacidade para termos a F1 em Portugal
     
  6. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
    Owner Project Master

    Nov 1, 2006
    2,874
    Portugal
    São 15 milhões de euros ... infelizmente não me parece nada provável que venha a acontecer.
     
  7. F430Modena

    F430Modena F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2005
    3,182
    Portugal
    Obg :) ando distraido...

    O actual panorama economico não é nada favoravel para gastar essa quantia numa prova de F1...
     
  8. FerrariBoyCb

    FerrariBoyCb Karting

    Aug 24, 2006
    195
    Portugal
    Full Name:
    Joao
    Mas ha sempre a hipotese de um grande grupo comprar esses direitos ou ajudar imagine-se GP Vodafone Portugal, ou GP Santander etc, mas em portugal é dificil pois como em todo o lado, mas veremos o futuro dirá, lembre-se que Cascais/ Sintra eram considerados o Monaco Portugues devido á grande popularidade do turismo agra é o algarve veremos como se vao desenrolar as coisas
     

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