About the circuit
Climate
The circuit sits in the Algarve region of southern Portugal, known for warm weather through the year. Of the past 16 race days, 11 were sunny, 4 were cloudy and 1 was rainy. Most races are decided in the dry.
Track layout
The lap runs clockwise, with 7 left and 9 right corners, 16 in all. The standard layout is 4.684 km long. The main straight is about 970 m, and the track drops downhill toward Turn 1. The lap keeps rising and falling; by the official figures, the steepest climb is 6.2% and the steepest descent is 12.0%. Some corners hide their exit, so knowing the track pays off.
Where the action is
The key spot is Turn 1, at the end of the main straight. Bikes reach about 334 km/h, then shed speed downhill to about 124 km/h. They brake for 4.4 seconds over 268 m. It is described as the corner that puts the most load on the brakes in a lap, and it is also presented as a place to pass.