The Portuguese Grand Prix has been part of the MotoGP calendar for the fifth consecutive year but still lacks a solidly assured future. Every year there are doubts until confirmation, and this year is no exception. However, the goal now is to quickly secure a new three-year contract.
This aspiration was revealed by the CEO of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Paulo Pinheiro, to Record newspaper: ‘Now the essential is to secure our place on next year’s calendar as soon as possible so we can start preparing everything even earlier. We would like to sign a contract valid for at least three years but it has not been possible yet, even with the importance that MotoGP has for the regional and national economy with an estimated economic impact that exceeds 80 million euros’.
Pinheiro ensured that an analysis has already been conducted on what can be improved, including the Fan Zone introduced for the first time this year: ‘The challenge is really to think about what more we can do for the spectators in 2025’, he admitted.
According to Paulo Pinheiro, there were changes in the gravel to avoid ‘false issues‘ raised last year, and the evaluation from Dorna was overwhelmingly positive: ‘At the end of the Portuguese GP, we received a 10 – the maximum – on all analysis parameters by the observers, and our marshals, who are of greater importance in the conduct of any competition, received personal praise in the voice of Mike Webb, the race director’.