Circuito do Estoril
The Circuito do Estoril or Autódromo do Estoril (Estoril Circuit), officially known as Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva, is a motorsport race track on the Portuguese Riviera, outside of Lisbon, owned by state-run holding management company Parpública. Its length is 4.182 km (2.599 mi). It was the home of the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996. The circuit has an FIA Grade 1 license.[1]
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Location | Alcabideche, Cascais, Portugal |
---|---|
Time zone | WET (UTC+0) WEST (April-October, UTC+1) |
Coordinates | 38°45′3″N 9°23′39″W |
Capacity | 45,000 |
FIA Grade | 1 (Grand Prix) 3 (Tanque) |
Owner | Parpública (February 2007–present) |
Opened | 17 June 1972 |
Former names | Autódromo do Estoril |
Major events | Current: Sidecar World Championship (2019, 2021–present) FIM JuniorGP (2017–present) Porsche Cup Brasil (2011–2012, 2014, 2019, 2024) Former: Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix (1984–1996) Grand Prix motorcycle racing Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix (2000–2012) World SBK (1988, 1993, 2020–2022) FIM EWC (1987, 2000, 2020–2021) International GT Open (2006, 2008, 2015–2018, 2022) European Le Mans Series 4 Hours of Estoril (2001, 2011, 2014–2016) DTM (2004) FIA WTCR Race of Portugal (2008, 2021) FIA GT (2000–2003) |
Website | http://www.circuito-estoril.pt/ |
Grand Prix Circuit (2000–present) | |
Length | 4.182 km (2.599 miles) |
Turns | 14 |
Race lap record | 1:26.711 (![]() |
Tanque Circuit (2018–present) | |
Length | 4.163 km (2.587 miles) |
Turns | 11 |
Race lap record | 1:35.895 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (1994–1999) | |
Length | 4.360 km (2.725 miles) |
Turns | 13 |
Race lap record | 1:22.446 (![]() |
Superbike Circuit (1993) | |
Length | 4.520 km (2.809 miles) |
Turns | 14 |
Race lap record | 1:52.186 (![]() |
Grand Prix Circuit (1972–1993) | |
Length | 4.349 km (2.703 miles) |
Turns | 11 |
Race lap record | 1:14.859 (![]() |
Perimeter Circuit (1972–1999) | |
Length | 2.942 km (1.828 miles) |
Turns | 8 |
Race lap record | 0:59.350 (![]() |
History
Estoril, a vacation-destination beach town located 32 km (20 mi) west of the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon has had a motor racing dating back to the 1930s, with a 2.8 km (1.7 mi) street circuit used in 1937 for a local race. The current Estoril circuit was built and completed in 1972 on a rocky plateau near the village of Alcabideche, 9-kilometre (5.6 mi) from Estoril, the town lending its name to the circuit. The course has two hairpin turns, noticeable elevation changes, and a long 0.986 km (0.613 mi) start/finish straight.[2] Its original perimeter was 4.350 km (2.703 mi), and the maximum gradient is nearly 7%.[3] Monsanto Park, another street circuit in Lisbon hosted a variety of motor racing events in the 1950s, including the 1959 Portuguese Grand Prix, an event it shared briefly with the Boavista street circuit in Porto.
Its first years saw many national races, as well as an occasional Formula 2 race. However, the course soon fell into disrepair due to the owning company having been taken over by the state between 1975 and 1978, and a significant redevelopment effort was needed before international motorsport returned in 1984. In the 1980s, the Rally de Portugal also had a special stage at the circuit.[4][5]
Estoril became a popular event on the F1 calendar, the setting for many well-known moments including Niki Lauda winning the 1984 championship, his third and final, from McLaren teammate Alain Prost by just half a point by finishing second to Prost at the 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix; three-time world champion Ayrton Senna's first F1 win in 1985; Nigel Mansell's notorious black flag incident and subsequent collision with Senna in 1989; Riccardo Patrese being launched airborne in a near-backward flip after colliding with Gerhard Berger on the main straight in 1992; and Jacques Villeneuve overtaking Michael Schumacher around the outside of the final turn in 1996.

Throughout the years, Estoril has had numerous problems with safety, failing safety inspections on more than one occasion. After the death of Ayrton Senna at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, a chicane was added which increased the circuit length to 4.360 km (2.709 mi). Estoril sometimes has strong winds. Many teams were fond of using Estoril for winter testing.
Estoril was dropped from the F1 calendar for the 1997 season, though it continued to play host to top-level single-seater, sports car and touring car events, including the FIA GT Championship, the DTM and the World Series by Renault.[2] A new redesign of the parabolica turn which saw its length reduced to 4.182 km (2.599 mi) was implemented in 2000 in order to obtain FIM homologation.
On 3 September 2000, the Autódromo do Estoril held its first Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix, an event held annually. On 23 October 2005, the circuit hosted the third round of the first ever A1 Grand Prix racing season, with both races in the event being won by the French team. The track hosted Superleague Formula series events in 2008 and 2009.
In 2020, due to rescheduling of major international sport series due to COVID-19 pandemic, Estoril hosted the final race of 2020 Superbike World Championship (after hosting the series in 1988 and 1993) and the final race of 2019–20 FIM Endurance World Championship (after hosting the series in 1987 and 2000).
Layout history
- Grand Prix Circuit (1972–1993)
- Grand Prix Circuit (1994–1999)
- Grand Prix Circuit (2000–present)
Lap records
As of February 2024, the fastest official race lap records at the Circuito do Estoril are listed as:
Category | Time | Driver | Vehicle | Event |
---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.182 km (2000–present)[4] | ||||
Superleague Formula | 1:26.711 | Andy Soucek | Panoz DP09 | 2008 Estoril Superleague Formula round |
Formula Renault 3.5 | 1:26.925[6] | Ben Hanley | Dallara T05 | 2007 Estoril Formula Renault 3.5 Series round |
Euroformula Open | 1:29.425[7] | Filip Ugran | Dallara 320 | 2022 Estoril Euroformula Open round |
Auto GP | 1:29.638[8] | Antônio Pizzonia | Lola B05/52 | 2014 Estoril Auto GP round |
LMP1 | 1:30.702[9] | Neel Jani | Lola B10/60 | 2011 6 Hours of Estoril |
A1GP | 1:31.106 | Alexandre Prémat | Lola A1GP | 2005–06 A1 Grand Prix of Nations, Portugal |
LMP900 | 1:31.341[10] | Stefan Johansson | Audi R8 | 2001 1000km of Estoril |
LMP2 | 1:32.611[9] | Tom Kimber-Smith | Zytek Z11SN | 2011 6 Hours of Estoril |
International Formula Master | 1:32.719[11] | Fabio Leimer | Tatuus N.T07 | 2008 Estoril Formula Master round |
LMP3 | 1:32.958[12] | Klaus Bachler | Ligier JS P3 | 2018 4 Hours of Estoril |
Formula 3 | 1:34.067[13] | Éric Salignon | Dallara F303 | 2004 Estoril F3 Euro Series round |
Formula One | 1:35.068[14] | Frank Lyons | McLaren M26 | 2021 Estoril Classics |
Formula Regional | 1:35.166[15] | Mari Boya | Tatuus F3 T-318-EC3 | 2023 Estoril Eurocup-3 round |
GT3 | 1:35.393[16] | Axcil Jefferies | Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo | 2022 Estoril International GT Open round |
DTM | 1:35.528[17] | Gary Paffett | AMG-Mercedes C-Klasse 2004 | 2004 Estoril DTM round |
World SBK | 1:36.204[18] | Jonathan Rea | Kawasaki ZX-10RR | 2022 Estoril World SBK round |
MotoGP | 1:36.909 | Jorge Lorenzo | Yamaha YZR-M1 | 2012 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix |
LMPC | 1:37.447[9] | Nicolas Marroc | Oreca FLM09 | 2011 6 Hours of Estoril |
LMP675 | 1:37.630[19] | Mirko Savoldi | Lucchini SR2001 | 2002 FIA Sportscar Championship Estoril |
GT1 (GTS) | 1:37.708[20] | Fabrizio Gollin | Ferrari 550-GTS Maranello | 2003 FIA GT Estoril 500km |
Formula Renault 2.0 | 1:37.730[21] | Daniel Ricciardo | Tatuus FR2000 | 2008 Estoril Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup round |
Formula Chrysler | 1:38.680[22] | Ricardo van der Ende | Reynard 2KF | 2001 Estoril Formula Chrysler Euroseries round |
Formula 4 | 1:38.968[23] | Pedro Clerot | Tatuus F4-T421 | 2023 Estoril F4 Spain round |
Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:38.986[24] | Ariel Levi | Porsche 911 (992) GT3 Cup | 2024 Estoril Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe round |
FIM EWC | 1:39.155[25] | Sylvain Guintoli | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 2021 12 Hours of Estoril |
Ferrari Challenge | 1:39.149[26] | Thomas Fleming | Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo | 2023 Estoril Ferrari Challenge Europe round |
Renault Sport Trophy | 1:39.258[27] | Steijn Schothorst | Renault Sport R.S. 01 | 2016 Estoril Renault Sport Trophy round |
LM GTE | 1:39.370[28] | Michele Rugolo | Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 | 2014 4 Hours of Estoril |
FIM CEV Moto2 | 1:39.420[29] | Lukas Tulovic | Kalex Moto2 | 2022 Estoril FIM CEV Moto2 round |
World SSP | 1:40.053[30] | Isaac Viñales | Yamaha YZF-R6 | 2020 Estoril World SSP round |
250cc | 1:40.521 | Álvaro Bautista | Aprilia RSA 250 | 2007 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix |
500cc | 1:40.683 | Loris Capirossi | Honda NSR500 | 2001 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix |
Moto2 | 1:40.921 | Pol Espargaró | Kalex Moto2 | 2012 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix |
N-GT | 1:42.413[20] | Andrea Bertolini | Ferrari 360 Modena GT | 2003 FIA GT Estoril 500km |
GT4 | 1:42.758[31] | Elias Niskanen | Mercedes-AMG GT4 | 2022 Estoril SuperCars Endurance Series round |
Eurocup Mégane Trophy | 1:44.396[32] | Dimitri Enjalbert | Renault Mégane Renault Sport | 2008 Estoril Eurocup Mégane Trophy round |
FIM CEV Moto3 | 1:44.471[33] | David Muñoz | KTM RC250GP | 2021 Estoril FIM CEV Moto3 round |
GT | 1:44.816[10] | Terry Rymer | Porsche 911 (996) GT3-R | 2001 1000km of Estoril |
Super Touring | 1:44.850[34] | Yvan Muller | Alfa Romeo 156 D2 | 2001 Estoril ESTC round |
125cc | 1:45.027 | Gabor Talmacsi | Aprilia RSA 125 | 2007 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix |
TCR Touring Car | 1:45.150[35] | Attila Tassi | Honda Civic Type R TCR (FK8) | 2021 WTCR Race of Portugal |
Moto3 | 1:47.354 | Sandro Cortese | KTM RC250GP | 2012 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix |
Super 2000 | 1:48.280[36] | Nicola Larini | Alfa Romeo 156 GTA | 2003 Estoril ETCC round |
Supersport 300 | 1:50.446[37] | Julio Garcia | Kawasaki Ninja 400 | 2022 Estoril ESBK round |
Lamborghini Super Trofeo | 1:53.034[38] | Andrzej Lewandowski | Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo2 | 2024 Estoril GT Winter Series round |
Tanque Circuit: 4.163 km (2018–present)[4][39] | ||||
Porsche Carrera Cup | 1:35.895[40] | Francisco Mora | Porsche 911 (991 II) GT3 Cup | 2023 Estoril Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica round |
GT4 | 1:40.307[41][42] | Elias Niskanen | Mercedes-AMG GT4 | 2023 Estoril SuperCars Endurance Series round |
TCR Touring Car | 1:43.732[41][42] | António Coimbra | Hyundai Elantra N TCR | 2023 Estoril SuperCars Endurance Series round |
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.360 km (1994–1999)[4] | ||||
Formula One | 1:22.446 | David Coulthard | Williams FW16B | 1994 Portuguese Grand Prix |
F3000 | 1:31.193[43] | Emmanuel Clérico | Reynard 94D | 1994 Estoril F3000 round |
Class 1 Touring Cars | 1:42.650[44] | Nicola Larini | Alfa Romeo 155 V6 TI | 1995 Estoril DTM round |
Superbike Circuit: 4.520 km (1993)[4][45] | ||||
World SBK | 1:52.186[45] | Carl Fogarty | Ducati 888 SBK | 1993 Estoril World SBK round |
Grand Prix Circuit: 4.350 km (1972–1993)[4] | ||||
Formula One | 1:14.859 | Damon Hill | Williams FW15C | 1993 Portuguese Grand Prix |
F3000 | 1:30.305[46] | Mike Thackwell | Ralt RB20 | 1985 Estoril F3000 round |
Formula Two | 1:34.160[47] | Derek Daly | Chevron B40 | 1977 Estoril European F2 round |
Group 6 | 1:37.730[48] | Vittorio Brambilla | Alfa Romeo 33SC12 | 1977 Prémio International da Costa do Sol |
Group A | 1:40.120[49] | Gianfranco Brancatelli | Volvo 240 Turbo | 1985 Estoril ETCC round |
World SBK | 1:48.330[50] | Raymond Roche | Ducati 851 | 1988 Estoril World SBK round |
Group 2 | 1:51.300[51] | Dieter Quester | BMW 3.0 CSL | 1977 Estoril ETCC round |
Perimeter Circuit: 2.942 km (1972–1999)[4] | ||||
Group 5 | 0:59.350[52] | John Lepp | Chevron B21 | 1972 Estoril Campeonato de España Gran Turismo-Sport round |
Group 4 | 1:05.640[53] | Clemens Schickentanz | Porsche Carrera RSR | 1973 Estoril European GT Championship round |
Events
- Current
- January: GT Winter Series
- February: Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe
- May: FIM JuniorGP World Championship, FIM CEV Moto2 European Championship, European Talent Cup
- June: Porsche Cup Brasil
- July: Campeonato de España de Superbike, Estoril Summer Festival, Racing Sound Fest, TCR Spain Touring Car Championship
- September: Campeonato de España de Superbike
- October: Classic Endurance Racing Estoril Classics
- November: Sidecar World Championship, Caterham Festival
- December: Estoril Season Finale
- Former
- 24H Series
- 12 Hours of Estoril (2023)
- A1 Grand Prix (2005)
- Auto GP (2004, 2014)
- Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (2004)
- Eurocup-3 (2023)
- Euroformula Open Championship (2005–2007, 2015–2018, 2022)
- European Formula Two Championship (1975–1977)
- European Le Mans Series
- 4 Hours of Estoril (2011, 2014–2016)
- European Touring Car Championship (1977–1978, 1985–1988, 2001–2003)
- European Touring Car Cup (2006)
- European Truck Racing Championship (2003)
- F4 Spanish Championship (2017, 2023)
- Ferrari Challenge Europe (2023)
- FIA GT Championship (2000–2003)
- FIA Sportscar Championship
- FIA Sportscar Championship Estoril (2002–2003)
- FIM Endurance World Championship
- 12 Hours of Estoril (1987, 2000, 2020–2021)
- Formula Chrysler Euroseries (2001)
- Formula 3 Euro Series (2004)
- Formula One
- Portuguese Grand Prix (1984–1996)
- Formula Renault 2.0 West European Cup (1987, 1999, 2001, 2008)
- Formula Renault Eurocup (2005, 2007–2008, 2016)
- Grand Prix motorcycle racing
- Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix (2000–2012)
- IMSA European Le Mans Series
- Estoril 1000km (2001)
- International Formula 3000 (1985, 1994–1996)
- International GT Open (2006, 2008, 2015–2018, 2022)
- International Touring Car Championship (1995–1996)
- Porsche Supercup (1994, 1996)
- Renault Sport Trophy (2016)
- Stock Car Brasil (1982)
- Superbike World Championship (1988, 1993, 2020–2022)
- Superleague Formula (2008–2009)
- TCR International Series (2016)
- Ultimate Cup Series (2019, 2021, 2023)
- V de V Series (2007–2018)
- World Touring Car Championship
- FIA WTCC Race of Portugal (2008)
- World Touring Car Cup
- FIA WTCR Race of Portugal (2021)
Major event winners
Motorcycling - Portuguese Grand Prix
Notes
References
- "LIST OF FIA LICENSED CIRCUITS" (PDF). FIA. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 28 May 2015.
- "The New Tracks". race-game.org. 2006. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
- Seara.com. "TRACK DATA - Circuito Estoril - Portugal". www.circuito-estoril.pt. Archived from the original on 2 April 2010. Retrieved 17 May 2015.
- "Estoril - Racing Circuits". RacingCircuits.info. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- Seara.com. "History - Circuito Estoril - Portugal". www.circuito-estoril.pt.
- "2007 Formula Renault 3.5 Estoril Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "2022 Estoril Euroformula Open Race 3 Statistics". Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- "2014 Auto GP World Series Estoril". Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- "2011 6 Hours of Estoril Race Final Classification by Class" (PDF). elms.alkamelsystems.com. 25 September 2011. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- "Estoril 1000 Kilometres 2001". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "2008 Estoril Formula Master - Round 7". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- "Estoril 4 Hours 2018". 3 November 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2024.
- "2004 F3 Euro Series Estoril Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "Estoril Classics 2021 - Classic GP - Pre-1986 F1 Estoril Classics Race 1 Fastest Lap Sequence" (PDF). 9 October 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
- "2023 Eurocup-3 Racing Weekend Estoril Carrera 2 (30 Minutos +1 Vlt) Clasificación Provisória" (PDF). 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- "Autódromo do Estoril International GT Open Race - 1 Provisional Classification by Driver Fastest Lap" (PDF). 30 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "DTM 2004 » Estoril Round 2 Results". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "World SBK Estoril Round, 20-22 May 2022 Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 21 May 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- "FIA Sportscar Championship Estoril 2002". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- "FIA GT Championship Estoril 2003". Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- "2008 WEC Formula Renault Estoril (Race 1)". Retrieved 5 November 2023.
- "2001 FC Euro Series Estoril - 20th-21st October Race 1". Retrieved 19 July 2022.
- "2023 Formula 4 Spain Racing Weekend Estoril Carrera 3 (30 Minutos +1 Vlt) Clasificación Provisória" (PDF). 1 October 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
- "2024 Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe - Estoril Circuit - Sport Division Race 1 (30 Minutes+1 Lap) - Official Classification" (PDF). 3 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- "12 Hours of Estoril 2021 Race - Final Ranking". 17 July 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
- "2023 Trofeo Pirelli Estoril Race 2 (30 Minutes) Final Classification" (PDF). 16 July 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
- "2016 4 Hours of Estoril Renault Sport Trophy Endurance Race 1 (70' +1 lap) Final Classification" (PDF). 22 October 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
- "2014 4 Hours of Estoril Race Final Classification by Class" (PDF). elms.alkamelsystems.com. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- "FIM Junior GP World Championship Estoril Moto2 Race 1 Classification". 8 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- "World SSP Pirelli Estoril Round, 16-18 October 2020 Results Race 1" (PDF). World Superbike. Dorna. 17 October 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- "CPV - SuperCars Endurance Caterham Racing Festival 18, 19 e 20 Novembro 2022 Corrida 2 (45 Minutes) Official Classification" (PDF). 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "2005 Round 6: Estoril Eurocup Megane Trophy Race 2 Final Classification" (PDF). 28 September 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- "2021 Moto3 FIM CEV Repsol Circuito do Estoril Race Classification". 25 April 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- "2001 Estoril ETCC". Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- "WTCR 2021 » Estoril Round 4 Results". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "ETCC 2003 » Estoril Round 18 Results". Retrieved 28 April 2022.
- "2022 ESBK CIRCUITO DO ESTORIL 13 a 15 MAYO 2022 SBK JUNIOR - CARRERA 2 (13 Vlts., 54,4 km.) Clasificación" (PDF). 15 May 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- "Winter Series Estoril 2024 - Result GT Winter Series - Race 1 Final result Race 1" (PDF). 13 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
- "List of FIA Licensed Circuits" (PDF). 17 April 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- "2023 Porsche Sprint Challenge Iberica Cascais Racing Weekend 29 e 30 Jul Corrida 1 (28 Minutos +1 Vlt.) Classificação Provisional" (PDF). 29 July 2023. Retrieved 29 July 2023.
- "CPV/Iberian Supercars - Estoril Caterham Festival - 24 a 26 Novembro 2023 - Corrida 1 (45 Minutos) - Classificação Oficial" (PDF). 26 November 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- "CPV/Iberian Supercars - Estoril Caterham Festival - 24 a 26 Novembro 2023 - Timekeeping Sectors" (PDF). 26 November 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- "1994 Estoril F3000". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "ITC 1995 » Estoril Round 8 Results". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "1993-10-15 to 1993-10-17 World Superbike Portuguese Round Race 2". Retrieved 31 December 2022.
- "1985 Estoril F3000". Retrieved 20 November 2022.
- "1977 Estoril F2". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "1977 Estoril 400Kms". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "1985 Estoril ETCC". Retrieved 30 April 2022.
- "1988 Estoril World SBK Race 2 Statistics". Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- "Estoril 4 Hours 1977". Retrieved 5 June 2022.
- "Estoril [Sports] 1972". Retrieved 21 July 2022.
- "European GT Championship Estoril 1973". Retrieved 21 July 2022.
External links
