The WSBK has not visited Estoril for two years, but it has not been in Portugal for just over two months. And this time the already veteran circuit near the capital will witness Round 11 of the season. The penultimate opportunity to shine for all the drivers comes this weekend and it does so on a track that is usually complicated by wind and weather changes throughout the year, but more so now in the middle of autumn.
In any case, we are on a track that lends itself to battle thanks to the peculiarities of the layout and on which both Toprak and Bautista have gone very fast in the past. For Bulega, however, it will be his first time competing on a Superbike, so in a way it can be an added difficulty.
However, and being objective, Bulega’s options are limited to extend his title chances until the final round and Bautista’s are practically nil. In both cases they depend on what Toprak does, which could decide the title this weekend. If the Turk does not fail in Portugal he could become champion of the Portuguese track, although depending on what both Bulega and Bautista do.
Razagatlioglu would be champion if the Italian lost 23 points to him throughout the weekend and that means that if Bulega is on the second step of the podium there are no options. However, if Bautista (or another driver) slips in between, Toprak wins all three races and Bulega is third, he could win. Meanwhile, for Bautista to continue with title options after the races in Portugal, the disadvantage that the Spaniard now has would have to be reduced by 20 points and wait for Álvaro to win all three races in Jerez and Toprak not to score points.
Details of the Estoril Circuit
The Portuguese track has been undergoing modifications in pursuit of safety for years and has a mix of fast and slow areas that makes it a peculiar layout. It is undoubtedly old school and although the chicane that begins the last sector is emblematic, there are critical areas such as the end of the finish line or the last corner.
Unlike MotorLand, the last track visited, here most of the curves are right-handers: nine of the thirteen, while the remaining four are left-handers, making them delicate points.
It is not the shortest track of the season, but it is not very long either, since it is 4,182 meters. However, its main straight and the counter-stretch area are fast points and the maximum speed reached has exceeded 330 km/h in exceptional conditions, but is above 320 in the race.
Where to watch Superbike Portugal 2024
As usual, to enjoy WSBK we have several options. Teledeporte continues to be the main open option to do it, either through television or through the web.
There is also the payment option with Eurosport, which can be seen through different platforms, which DAZN will also do both on its platform and on the channels it has on Movistar. In addition, the digital platform can be viewed through different operators.
Superbike Portugal 2024 schedules
Friday October 11
- 10:40-11:05 – WorldWCR Free Practice
- 11:20-12:05 – WorldSBK Free Practice 1
- 12:20-13:00 – WorldSSP Free Practice
- 16:00-16:45 – WorldSBK Free Practice 2
- 17:00-17:40 – WorldSSP Tissot Superpole
Saturday October 12
- 10:00-10:20 – WorldSBK Free Practice 3
- 10:50-11:00 – WorldSSP Warm Up
- 12:00-12:15 – WorldSBK Superpole
- 15:00 – WorldSBK Race 1
- 16:15 – WorldSSP Race 1
Sunday October 13
- 10:00-10:10 – WorldSBK Warm Up
- 10:40-10:50 – WorldSSP Warm Up
- 12:00 – WorldSBK Superpole Race
- 15:00 – WorldSBK Race 2
- 16:15 – WorldSSP Race 2
