Estoril
Coastal Portuguese circuit famous for its 1,000-metre main straight, late-season title showdowns and the debut of a young Brazilian called Senna.
Circuit at a glance
- Years active
- 1984–1996
- F1 races
- 13
- Length
- 4.36 km
- Turns
- 13
History and character
Built in 1972 and reaching F1 in 1984, Estoril became a frequent late-season venue where championships were decided. Its long pit straight allowed slipstream battles into the heavy-braking Parabólica do Tanque, while the technical infield separated the great from the merely quick.
Why it left the calendar
Safety upgrades stalled and the circuit lost its FIA Grade 1 status after 1996, ending its F1 run. It still hosts MotoGP testing and national series, and has been the subject of multiple proposals to host a Portuguese GP again.
Iconic moment
Ayrton Senna's first ever Formula 1 victory in 1985, dominating a rain-soaked race in the Lotus 97T by over a minute.
Notable Grand Prix winners
- Alain Prost
- Ayrton Senna
- Nigel Mansell
- Michael Schumacher
- Damon Hill