Portugal GP. Track analysis and Repsol drivers records

The Estoril circuit according to Fonsi Nieto
The exciting race protagonised last year by Fonsi Nieto on the Portuguese track is one of those you never forget. We all remember the image of Fonsi fighting to keep his bike under control after a crash on the wet track during a race where several riders where forced to retire due to the heavy rainfall. The young rider crashed in the chicane while being second behind Matsudo, but managed to rejoin the race and take the victory.With regard to the Portuguese track, Fonsi explains: ‘I like this circuit a lot. Last year I made one of the most beautiful races of my sports career: It was incredible, I crashed on the wet track and yet managed to win, I still can’t believe it. Two years ago, the bike threw me off like it happened to Mamola, and it was also very spectacular…In 2000, I made the best race of the season on this track, finishing sixth. And this year, I would like to make a good race as well, not only for me, and because it would be very important for the Championship, but also given the fact that the track is located very close to Spain and there are going to be many Spanish fans travelling to Estoril. There are many flags and banners around the track, you can see the fans and it’s very motivating for a rider. Technically it’s a very nice track, with a very slow, quite complicated chicane. This is with no doubt one of my favourite circuits.’The Portugal GP venue, in detailBuilt in 1972, very close to the Atlantic coast of Portugal and 28 km from Lisbon, the Estoril circuit changed its name in 1992 to Autodromo Fernanda Pires da Silva, after the businesswoman who had been the driving force behind the building of the track. After several changes in order to increase safety and to adapt to the technical regulations, the new circuit hosted its first Formula One race in 1984. A new modification in 1999 made it possible to host in 2000 the first Grand Prix staged on Portuguese grounds.The Estoril circuit is one of the most difficult tracks on the Grand Prix calendar: its complex and demanding layout combines difficult corners, heavy braking zones and bumpy sections, distributed on 4182 m, and a difficult chicane which was added in 1994. The Fernanda Pires da Silva track has 4 slow left-hand corners and 9 right-hand corners with a 986 m long straight. Given the complexity and demanding character of the circuit, the engineers have a real challenge in Estoril when it comes to choosing the tyres and setting the chassis of the bikes. Given its geographical situation, very close to the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of Sintra, there usually are strong winds, although its warm weather makes it a regular venue for the preseason testings.Official Web: Estoril circuit Repsol riders in Portugal GP 2002MotoGP: Valentino Rossi: Practice: (3º) 1´39.984 / Race: (1º) 54´12.962 / Fastest lap: 1´52.302250: Fonsi Nieto: Practice: (3º) 1´42.325 / Race: (1º) 53´58.908 / Fastest lap: 2´00.120 Toni Elías: Practice: (6º) 1´42.451 / Race: (13º) 54´55.925 / Fastest lap: 2´02.351125: Dani Pedrosa: Pole: 1´46.664 / Race: (10º) 50´55.819 / Fastest lap: 2´03.4682003 Season: All the results of the Repsol ridersAll season results and overall standings. Click on ‘Download document’ option on top right side of this page (Pdf format)