Max Verstappen Blasts Portimao Circuit Ahead of F1 Portuguese Grand Prix

Photo credit: Clive Mason – Formula 1 – Getty Images

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen did not hold back in blasting the condition of the track surface at Portimao after qualifying behind both Mercedes cars on.

Verstappen was ultimately four tenths off the pace set by Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton on Saturday, after having a faster lap deleted for a track limits violation.

“We could have had pole, but I don’t like to talk like that, should, would, could,” Verstappen said.

Bottas captured his 17th career pole and first of 2021.

It is clear, however, that Verstappen blames, at least in part, the Portimao track surface, which he says became considerably worse when the track was resurfaced prior to F1’s first race at the circuit there last year.

Photo credit: NurPhoto – Getty Images

“I remember coming here last year, before the Grand Prix, and I mean honestly it was top three of my favorite tracks,” he said. “But then they change the tarmac and for me. Yeah, I don’t enjoy it anymore.”

To Dutch reporters, Verstappen even said the track surface is “unworthy of Formula 1.”

His title rival Lewis Hamilton agrees, with the seven-time world champion explaining that grip levels at the circuit in Istanbul and elsewhere have also plummeted.

“I don’t really understand what they do to make it worse but Turkey used to have good grip and obviously the last time we went there we had none,” said Hamilton, who qualified second for Sunday’s F1 Portuguese Grand Prix.

“We are finding that we go to more and more circuits that seem to be changing the tarmac that they’re using. It’s not that great when we’re struggling for grip. It means it’s harder to follow so we should ask for the good stuff back.”