Algarve to host 2009 GP2 finale
Next year's GP2 season finale will be held at the new Algarve International Circuit near Poritmao in Portugal
The recently-built circuit will be used as a test venue by Formula One teams this winter and will hold its first major international meeting when the World Superbike championship visits this weekend. The track will also host the penultimate round of the current A1GP season in April.
The Algarve track was homologated by the FIA earlier this month and has declared its interest in holding a Formula One race in the near future. The GP2 rounds could be used as a test run for F1.
The inclusion of the Portuguese track on the calendar means GP2 will return to holding at least one round away from F1 next year. The season finale was a separate event at Valencia in 2006, but there was no standalone race this year because series bosses switched the Valencia event from the Ricardo Tormo facility to join F1's visit to the new street circuit.
GP2 Series organiser Bruno Michel said: "On top of developing tomorrow's talents, our aim also includes new venues that will generate track action as well as meet our security standards.
"The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve has made a tremendous job in providing us with a track that delivers everything a high-level category needs. I'm really looking forward to the first event."
The date for the race is still to be confirmed.
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