Estoril, a circuit steeped in history

When you arrive at the Estoril circuit for the final round of the Le Mans Series, you feel as if you have gone back several years in time, and not just because you can admire the fantastic cars that make up the Classic Endurance Racing field. Estoril will be forever associated with the Portuguese Grand Prix, a round of the Formula 1 World Championship between 1984 and 1996. Its undulating nature and the hills that surround it give the impression of an out-of-the-way place. The sun shines every day and adds a slightly exotic touch to this twisty track.

The main dates are: 1984, first F1 Grand Prix won by Alain Prost who became the record holder of the number of victories in Portugal with Nigel Mansell (3) – 1985 Ayrton Senna's first win in F1 in his Lotus-Renault in the rain – 1989 Mansell's dangerous driving tactics as he reversed in the pit lane and then collided with Senna – 1990 Mansell squeezed Prost against the pit wall dealing the Frenchman's hopes of taking the F1 title with Ferrari a body blow. The last driver to win there in F1 was Jacques Villeneuve in 1996.

Since that era, Estoril has hosted other championships, in particular since 2002 the Portuguese Moto Grand Prix. Private cars and tyre companies also use the track for testing. With the opening of Portimao Estoril is no longer the only destination for racing fans in Portugal. But this part of the country on the Iberian peninsula is a still spot loved by everybody.