Formula 1 could return to the Estoril Autodrome in 2028

Formula 1 could return to the Estoril Autodrome as soon as three years from now. That is at least the ambition of Nuno Piteira Lopes, Cascais Municipal Council’s current vice-president and the Viva Cascais Coalition candidate for the Cascais local authority.

Formula 1 and MotoGP at the Estoril Autodrome

On Monday, Nuno Piteira Lopes met Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services, to present his ambitious plans for the Estoril circuit.

As well as proceeding with the purchase of the Autodrome, the Cascais council candidate wants to secure the return of motorsport’s two leading categories to the Estoril Circuit: Formula 1 and MotoGP.

“In 2026, it will be 30 years since the Grand Prix was held at Estoril. At that time, we will begin a new chapter for this legendary global circuit, with the local authority taking over management of the facility,” Nuno Piteira Lopes said in a Cascais Municipal Council statement, as reported by Lusa.

Cascais plans to buy the Estoril circuit

The same statement says that the details of the proposed purchase were discussed during the meeting with the Secretary of State for Tourism, Commerce and Services. The municipality said it had “full willingness to carry out the necessary works”, although these would be undertaken “together with private partners”.

This is not the first attempt by Cascais Municipal Council to buy the Estoril Autodrome, which opened in June 1972. In 2015, the council moved to acquire the venue in a deal valued at around €5 million. However, the transaction ultimately did not go ahead after it was rejected by Portugal’s Court of Auditors.

Cascais now intends to renew its efforts to acquire the Estoril Autodrome, before “pushing for” Formula 1 to return in 2028 and MotoGP in 2027.

Portugal’s wider Formula 1 return plans

This statement of intent comes almost two months after Portugal’s Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, revealed at the Festa do Pontal that the country was close to being able to “formalise Formula 1’s return to the Algarve in 2027”.