Layout: Actual
When was the track built?
Opened in June 1972, due to political and economical unrest in the country, it took until 1975 for the important event to take place.
After a short period of poor consideration, thanks to a sponsorship from the Automovel Club de Portugal and to some renovations in the early 1980s, it finally managed to host the first F1 GP in 1984.
Unfortunately, due to slowness in improving safety standards in the nineties, the circuit lost its prestige and most of major events, until Tilke renewed the layout in 1999; MotoGP races and F1 tests have been held here since.
When was its first Grand Prix?
In the final race of the 1984 season, won by Alain Prost’s McLaren-Tag Porsche, with the World Title going to his teammate Niki Lauda, who finished second; it will rotate with other three circuits of the country.
What’s the circuit like?
In typical Tilke’s style, sector 1 has lost its round and fast corners for sharper ones; safety of the pit exit has been improved.
The central part and the iconic final parabolic curve “Ayrton Senna” have been kept untouched; the chicane 9 has been introduced as it was impossible to increase the runway after the old “Tanque” curve.
Two main spots for overtaking are turn 1 and 6, in a circuit where it is surely challenging to gain positions.
Where is it located?
North of the towns of Estoril and Cascias in the Central Lisbon district, around 20km from the International airport. (+ 38°45’00”, – 9°23’35”)
All Along The Racetrack 