Graça Freitas acknowledges that there were “discrepancies between the recommendations and the inspection” of the organization of the Portuguese Grand Prix of Formula 1

The director-general of Health acknowledged this Monday, during the usual press conference to update the epidemiological evolution, that “there were things that went well and others that went less well” at the Portuguese Grand Prix of Formula 1, held during the weekend in Portimão.

Graça Freitas admitted that there were “discrepancies between the recommendations and the ability to inspect” on the part of the organization, although she does not believe that “this will result in a problematic situation”.

The head of DGS guaranteed that there is a “willingness to improve” and draw “lessons learned for the future”: “We have to restrict events a lot”, added Graça Freitas, adding that there was “co-responsibility of citizens, organization and Directorate-General for Health ”for the verified images of the assemblies,, without regard for physical distance, during the Portuguese GP.

Earlier Paulo Pinheiro, administrator of the Autódromo do Algarve, refuted accusations of non-compliance with the rules of social distance and gave a positive assessment of the F1 Grand Prix of Portugal. In total, according to the administrator, about 27 700 people attended the AIA, “150 or 200 more than the one defined by the DGS”.

Regarding the long lines of traffic that formed between the A22 (Via do Infante) and the race track, before the start of the race, and which also generated criticism, GNR points the finger at people’s behaviour: “As is usual in large events, we asked people to travel to the event well in advance, but that did not happen and, from 12 noon, the queues started to appear”.