Portimao looking to bring F1 back to Portugal

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Owners of the Autodromo Internacional Algarve have started talks with Formula One Management to bring F1 back to Portugal in the near future, according to Motorsport.com.

The 4.6 km track, commonly known as Portimao Circuit, was homologated in 2008 and enjoys a capacity of 100,000.

The venue's management was apparently enticed by the Portuguese government to sound out FOM on the possibility of bringing F1 back to a country which hosted its last Grand Prix at Estoril in 1996.

Thanks to a rebounding national economy, the government is open to the idea of partially subsidizing a race in Portimao providing it can agree terms with FOM on a reasonable race fee.

Formula 1's commercial manager Sean Bratches is keen on expanding the sport's calendar in the future beyond 21 races from 2019, but has also insisted that F1's agenda should include more races in the US while protecting the return to the calendar of traditional countries such as France and Germany.

Portugal could therefore find itself with a struggle on its hands to vie, not only for a date, but also for a reasonable fee.

Portimao hosted a series of F1 tests in December 2008 and January 2009, and was also the venue of choice last week for Lando Norris' prize winning McLaren Autosport BRDC test run in a 2011 McLaren.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.