Wednesday March 1st, 2000

Estoril track has regained its homologation for Formula One.

The document that will see Formula One cars return to Estoril has been signed by Charlie Whiting, technical delegate for the FIA. It will allow Formula One cars to return to the Portuguese track, at this stage only for testing, but with some hope that in the future a Grand Prix may again be held there.

After two years of rebuilding, the circuit is now far more sophisticated, with new pit-garages, new press and VIP accomodations and larger paddock facilities.

The track itself has some changes: the first corner now involves heavy braking into a second/third gear bend which leads to the second corner. The second corner has been moved a little closer to the infield, to open up the entry, as well as bigger gravel traps being added. The 'Corkscrew' chicane entrance is wider and the 'Ayrton Senna Parabolica' was also tightened, to make room for gravel traps.

Reported to Atlas F1 by Pedro Nascimento