Portimao (Portugal) (AFP)
Lewis Hamilton will try to become the absolute record holder for Formula 1 victories and his Mercedes team to capture a 7th consecutive constructor world title at the Portuguese Grand Prix at the Portimao circuit this weekend.
With a 92nd triumph, Hamilton would overtake the legendary Michael Schumacher in number of victories and would take one step closer to a 7th title which would make him the equal of the German champion.
With 69 more points on his teammate Valtteri Bottas with six rounds to cover, the Briton is well placed.
Its Mercedes team is even better with 180 steps ahead of Red Bull and it could be crowned for the 7th time since 2014 on Sunday.
But all the teams are going to jump this weekend into the unknown.
The Algarve circuit in Portimao is the second this year to appear on the calendar disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic when it has never been used for an F1 GP.
The first was the Mugello in Italy, where the race proved particularly lively.
"Since then, we have focused on how best to prepare for unfamiliar tracks and maximize the speed of data acquisition," said Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal.
"Portimao looks like a very nice track with a lot of unevenness and unusual turns. If some teams came to test here several years ago, it has never been used for F1," said Pierre Gasly, the French pilot of AlphaTauri.
The wind, with gusts forecast for Sunday in the Algarve, could also complicate things in the race.
The first tests on Friday will give an idea of the hierarchy on this unknown ground.
Pirelli will also take the opportunity to test new compounds in anticipation of the next season, to try to fight against their rapid wear which is hampering the F1 this year.
- Grid 2021 -
Some 25,000 spectators are also expected, less than the number of tickets initially put on sale (46,000), but the rebound of the pandemic in Europe and Portugal has led the country's authorities to revise this figure downwards.
This is the first time since 1996 that F1 cars have returned to the country.
They were racing at Estoril and the winner there was the Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, on Williams-Renault.
In addition to Hamilton's record for victories and the Mercedes title, this Portuguese weekend could also see uncertainties on the 2021 grid resolving.
The American team Haas announced Thursday that its two titular drivers this year, the French Romain Grosjean and the Danish Kevin Magnussen, will not be renewed next year.
The names of their successors are not yet known but the Russian Nikita Mazepin (21) could arrive, helped by the fortune of his father, as well as Mick Schumacher (21), the son of Michael.
Haas indeed uses Ferrari engines and the German is part of the Scuderia's young driver academy.
Hamilton himself has yet to renew his contract at Mercedes, although a renewal is very likely.
"We haven't really talked much about it yet," he said Thursday, while estimating that "finding oneself in a negotiating situation is never easy and for everyone".
"As a last resort, I have always been attached to this team, he stressed, indicating that he and Toto Wolff" are going to sit down at one point or another and discuss the way ahead with everything in mind. what we have already achieved together ".
Tubs are also still to be allocated at Alfa Romeo, where the Finnish Kimi Räikkönen - a 41-year-old field veteran - and the Italian Antonio Giovinazzi, Red Bull, where the Thai Alexander Albon is not guaranteed to keep, are currently racing. his seat alongside the Dutchman Max Verstappen, and AlphaTauri with Pierre Gasly and the Russian Daniil Kvyat.
© 2020 AFP