The municipal council of Cascais intends to once again attempt to acquire the legendary Estoril circuit, with the aim of securing the return of Formula 1 to Portugal. The coastal municipality of Portugal, located near Lisbon, announced this on Monday. Ideally, Estoril – where a Grand Prix was last held in 1996 – would return to the Formula 1 calendar by 2028.
According to the municipality, Cascais wants to take over the Circuito do Estoril through the purchase of Parpública, a consortium of state-owned companies that currently owns the circuit. Deputy Mayor Nuno Piteira Lopes emphasizes that the municipality is ready for a new chapter in the history of the circuit. “In 2026, it will be thirty years since the last Grand Prix of Estoril was held,” he said. “At that time, we will usher in a new phase, with the municipality taking over the management of this legendary circuit.”
The plans were discussed during a meeting between the municipality and the Portuguese Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade, and Services, Pedro Machado. This is not the first time that Cascais has tried to get the circuit into its hands. In 2015, the municipal council already reached an agreement to take over the track for about five million euros. However, that deal was rejected at the time by the Portuguese Court of Auditors.
Competition
The Estoril circuit was opened in June 1972 and was a staple on the Formula 1 calendar in the eighties and nineties. The last Grand Prix was held in 1996, after which the sport left due to outdated infrastructure and safety standards. In addition to the intended return of the premier class in 2028, the municipality also wants to organize a MotoGP race. Cascais says it is fully ready to modernize the circuit, in collaboration with private partners.
With the planned takeover, the municipality hopes not only to bring motorsport back to Portugal. The Cascais region also wants to position itself internationally as a tourist and sports attraction. However, there are more Portuguese circuits vying for a spot on the calendar. In August, Prime Minister Luís Montenegro unveiled plans to bring Formula 1 to the Algarve and Portimão.
