Circuito da Boavista

Circuito da Boavista is a street circuit in Porto, Portugal, which was used twice for the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix. The original course began at the harbor-front "Esplanada do Rio de Janeiro", continued on "Avenida da Boavista", (hence the circuit's name), and then twisted its way through small neighborhoods back to the start-finish line.

Circuito da Boavista

Layout of Revival Circuit

Second GP Layout of Circuito da Boavista
LocationPorto, Portugal
Time zoneWET (UTC+0)
WEST (April-October, UTC+1)
Coordinates41°10′13.7″N 8°40′23.7″W
Opened1950 (re-opened 2005)
Closed2013 (firstly closed 1960)
Major eventsWTCC Race of Portugal (2007, 2009, 2011, 2013)
Portuguese GT Championship (2013)
SEAT León Eurocup (2009)
International Formula Master (2007)
Italian Touring Car Competition (2007)
Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix (1958, 1960)
Sports car racing Portuguese Grand Prix (1951–1953, 1955)
Revival Circuit (2005–2013)
Length4.800 km (2.983 miles)
Turns23
Race lap record1:54.125 (New Zealand Chris van der Drift, Tatuus N.T07, 2007, International Formula Master)
Second Grand Prix Circuit (1952–1960)
Length7.406 km (4.602 miles)
Turns19
Race lap record2:27.530 (United Kingdom John Surtees, Lotus 18, 1960, Formula One)
Original Grand Prix Circuit (1950–1951)
Length7.775 km (4.828 miles)
Turns19
Race lap record3:32.800 (Italy Giovanni Bracco, Ferrari 340 America, 1951, Sports car racing)

The first Grand Prix was held in 1958, and saw an act of sportsmanship by Stirling Moss. Moss came to the defense of his countryman and title rival Mike Hawthorn, who faced a penalty for having driven towards oncoming traffic after a spin. Moss persuaded the stewards not to disqualify Hawthorn, who retained his second place and 6 points. Hawthorn eventually won the drivers championship by 1 point over Moss.

The 1960 running was a race of attrition, with only four cars finishing within five laps of winner Jack Brabham. Accidents and mechanical problems ended the day early for future champions John Surtees, Phil Hill, Graham Hill and others.

Season Driver Car/Motor Report
1951 Portugal Casimiro de Oliveira Ferrari Report
1952 Italy Eugenio Castellotti Ferrari Report
1953 Portugal José Arroyo Nogueira Pinto Ferrari Report
Not held in 1954
1955 France Jean Behra Maserati Report
Not held in 1956 and 1957
1958 United Kingdom Stirling Moss Vanwall Report
Not held in 1959
1960 Australia Jack Brabham Cooper-Climax Report

Recent years

The circuit was revived in 2005, though it was shortened from the original layout, and now measures 4.800 km (2.983 mi).[1] Events are held every two years. Besides the Boavista Historic Grand Prix, there are also races for recent car models. In 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 the track staged the FIA WTCC Race of Portugal, an event which included in its programme European motorsport categories such as International Formula Master and Portuguese national competitions.

In 2015 the Porto City Council decided to suspend the circuit, saying that following a cut in support from Turismo de Portugal, spending about three million euros on the event would be irresponsible.[2]

FIA WTCC Race of Portugal-Boavista
Year Race Driver Manufacturer Report
2007 Race 1 Switzerland Alain Menu United States Chevrolet Report
Race 2 United Kingdom Andy Priaulx Germany BMW
2009 Race 1 Italy Gabriele Tarquini Spain SEAT Report
Race 2 Brazil Augusto Farfus Germany BMW
2011 Race 1 Switzerland Alain Menu United States Chevrolet Report
Race 2 United Kingdom Robert Huff United States Chevrolet
2013 Race 1 France Yvan Muller United States Chevrolet Report
Race 2 United Kingdom James Nash United States Chevrolet

Lap records

The official race lap records at the Circuito da Boavista are listed as:

CategoryTimeDriverVehicleEvent
Revival Grand Prix Circuit: 4.800 km (2005–2013)
International Formula Master1:54.125[3]Chris van der DriftTatuus N.T072007 Boavista Formula Master round
Super 20002:05.846[4]Robert HuffChevrolet Cruze 1.6T2011 FIA WTCC Race of Portugal
SEAT León Eurocup2:14.195[5]Massimiliano PedalàSEAT León Supercopa2009 Boavista SEAT León Eurocup round
Second Grand Prix Circuit: 7.406 km (1952–1960)
Formula One2:27.530John SurteesLotus 181960 Portuguese Grand Prix
Sports car racing2:46.401[6]Alfonso de PortagoFerrari 857 Monza1956 Boavista sports car race
Original Grand Prix Circuit: 7.775 km (1950–1951)
Sports car racing3:32.800[7]Giovanni BraccoFerrari 340 America1951 Portuguese Grand Prix

References
  1. "Image: o1_rs_circuito%20da%20boavista%202011_painel%20geral__10_a4.JPG, (4734 × 3429 px)". circuitodaboavista.com. Archived from the original on 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2015-09-01.
  2. "Movimento diz que chegada do eléctrico à marginal mostra que câmara não queria Circuito da Boavista no Porto" (in Portuguese). Público. December 17, 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  3. "2007 Oporto Formula Master". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  4. "WTCC 2011 » Porto Round 12 Results". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  5. "Race 1 at Porto with no scratch". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  6. "Circuito do Porto 1956". Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  7. "Portugal Grand Prix 1951". Retrieved 29 June 2022.
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