Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe
Autosport Plus

Why F1's Portugal leveller isn't a reliable silver bullet

A track surface that was reluctant to yield grip left many drivers complaining in Portimao, but created mixed strategies and havoc at the start. Yet, while an enjoyable means of mixing the pack, F1 cannot always rely on it

It was good to see Formula 1 visiting another new circuit in this coronavirus-affected season, especially because Portimao threw up an interesting problem that had even the best of teams scratching their heads.

Of course, this being Portugal and past the traditional holiday season, there is always a risk from the vagaries of the weather coming from the Atlantic sea. And, while the threat of rain kept the teams occupied throughout the race, after a few drops at the start brought to mind the 2007 European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring, this wasn't the major issue at hand.

Previous article The wrong kind of bafflement and surprise in UK motorsport
Next article Russell's F1 trainer self-isolating after showing COVID-19 symptoms

More from Tim Wright

What teams lose and gain from F1’s testing restrictions

What teams lose and gain from F1’s testing restrictions

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
What teams lose and gain from F1’s testing restrictions What teams lose and gain from F1’s testing restrictions
How Silverstone has evolved into a modern classic

How Silverstone has evolved into a modern classic

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
British GP
How Silverstone has evolved into a modern classic How Silverstone has evolved into a modern classic
The F1 cycles of staying ahead of the opposition

The F1 cycles of staying ahead of the opposition

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
The F1 cycles of staying ahead of the opposition The F1 cycles of staying ahead of the opposition
How an engineer survives Le Mans

How an engineer survives Le Mans

LM Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
How an engineer survives Le Mans How an engineer survives Le Mans
The history lessons Peugeot should have learned on its return

The history lessons Peugeot should have learned on its return

Plus
Plus
WEC WEC
Monza
The history lessons Peugeot should have learned on its return The history lessons Peugeot should have learned on its return
The past figures F1’s returning drivers will hope not to emulate

The past figures F1’s returning drivers will hope not to emulate

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
The past figures F1’s returning drivers will hope not to emulate The past figures F1’s returning drivers will hope not to emulate
How F1 teams and personnel react in pressurised situations

How F1 teams and personnel react in pressurised situations

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
Saudi Arabia GP
How F1 teams and personnel react in pressurised situations How F1 teams and personnel react in pressurised situations
The final throes of Brazil's fleetingly successful F1 team

The final throes of Brazil's fleetingly successful F1 team

Plus
Plus
F1 Formula 1
The final throes of Brazil's fleetingly successful F1 team The final throes of Brazil's fleetingly successful F1 team

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe