In 2025, Formula 1 drivers will once again visit 24 circuits across all continents, with the exception of Africa. In the series ‘Forgotten Circuits’, we take a trip down memory lane and revisit some forgotten Formula 1 circuits. Today in our series of forgotten circuits: Monsanto Park, a circuit with bumps, cobblestones, and telegraph poles along the side.
Nothing in Monsanto Park near Lisbon reminds us of its Formula 1 past. No old pit buildings, no road markings, no plaque. Absolutely nothing. Yet, in 1959, Circuito de Monsanto was the setting for the first Portuguese Grand Prix, with the legendary Stirling Moss as the winner.
Although many people associate Formula 1 in Portugal with Estoril and recently Portimão as the home of Formula 1 races, Monsanto Park is actually the cradle of motorsport in Portugal. In 1910, the Automovel Club de Portugal (ACP) organized the country’s very first motorsport event on the Serra de Monte Santo, a nearly two-kilometer hill climb on the Estrada de Pimenteira.
Cobblestones and Telegraph Poles
The Argentine José Froilán González won the first Portuguese Grand Prix at Monsanto in 1954. At that time, it was still a sports car event. The race was part of a deal between Monsanto and Porto Boavista to alternate locations. In 1958, it was announced that the Portuguese Grand Prix would become part of the Formula 1 calendar. With the alternating deal with Boavista, this meant that the 1959 Grand Prix would be held at Monsanto for the first time.
Monsanto Park was a fast street circuit. Unlike the tram tracks of Boavista, Monsanto Park had predominantly smooth asphalt. However, the circuit was considered risky for several reasons, including cobblestones and bumps on the track, and telegraph poles and trees along the side. Moreover, the circuit had dangerous elevation changes.
Uphill Start
There was one section where the circuit crossed a busy highway, which had to be closed for the event. The start posed a high degree of difficulty for the drivers, as it was situated on a straight stretch that ran uphill.
The Formula 1 race in 1959 started late in the afternoon, at 15:00 UTC, due to the Portuguese summer heat. Stirling Moss dominated the race with his Cooper-Climax from start to finish. The entire field was lapped at least once. The Americans Masten Gregory (Cooper-Climax) and Dan Gurney (Ferrari) finished second and third.
It is also well known that Jack Brabham narrowly escaped two accidents. Once when a boy ran across the track and once due to a steward who was not paying attention when he stepped onto the track.
There was only one Formula 1 race in Monsanto Park, partly because there was too much resistance to closing the busy highway for the race.
Races in other classes continued to be organized, even after the layout was adjusted. However, it remained a risky circuit. In 1967, there was a fatal accident involving British Formula 3 driver Tim Cash. As the cars kept getting faster and the circuit was unable to improve safety provisions, it was decided in 1971 that no more races would be held in Monsanto Park.
