A1GP news

No pressure at home GP for Albuquerque

A1 Team Portugal's Filipe Albuquerque insists he is not feeling any nerves or pressure ahead of his maiden home race this weekend. The squad is in the middle of a fierce championship battle ahead of the Algarve's races at the brand new, multi-million pound facility in Portimao.

Albuqeurque, as is customary for the home driver and team ahead of their race weekend, has been fulfilling many media engagements and interviews ahead of the track action, where Portugal will try to reduce the seven-point deficit to leaders Switzerland.

The 23-year-old, who will be capped for the 20th time this weekend, says he is not distracted by the extra attention and is just excited about the championship battle ahead. "I do not feel any pressure - in fact, I feel so comfortable," Albuquerque told the official A1GP website, at a special street demonstration of his A1GP Powered by Ferrari car in Portimao's marina.

"Sometimes I start thinking about racing outside of the car and I wonder what would happen if I am not there in the top position but I get less nervous when I am in the car. I feel so comfortable there and it's my place to be. It's like when you arrive home and you just relax, it's exactly the same for me in the car. I know exactly what I am doing and I will do my best. So I just relax and wait to jump in the car and have fun."

"It's a tight championship battle but with the final round at Mexico City now confirmed there are more than 70 points available, and that's a lot of points. Of course, I am pushing always for the win, and I need to be in the front of the other guys from now on otherwise I will never make it. It's not much of a gap but I am on the case, so we will see now how it goes."

This weekend's event will be the maiden international single-seater race for the new Autodromo Algarve circuit, and Albuquerque anticipates it is going to be an exciting event.

"You can expect plenty of overtaking manoeuvres because the track is really wide," he added. "There are two long straights so there will be chances and I can't wait to have a go on this track on Friday."

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