Circuito do Estoril, Racing circuit in Estoril, Portugal

The Circuito do Estoril, officially Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva, is a 4.182 km race track on a rocky plateau near Alcabideche, in Cascais, about 9 km from the town of Estoril that gives it its name. It has two hairpin turns, a maximum gradient of nearly 7% and a 0.986 km start/finish straight. A blue and white Sonangol sign stands beside the asphalt, and a grandstand with a tan central seating band flanked by red sections faces the track.

The circuit opened in 1972 and brought international motorsport to the Portuguese coast, where it quickly became host to motorcycle and car races. Between 1984 and 1996, the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix took place here, making the facility known worldwide.

The circuit takes its name from Estoril, the beach town 9 km away, although it stands entirely in Alcabideche, Cascais. It is officially named Autódromo Fernanda Pires da Silva, after the woman who initiated its construction in 1972 on land bought from her friend Lúcio Tomé Feteira, working with Brazilian architect Ayrton Lolô Cornelsen.

First-time visitors find the facility about 20 minutes from Lisbon Airport and can overlook the track from several grandstands. On race days, it is wise to arrive early, as parking fills quickly and access to the best spots is limited.

After a serious accident in 1994, a chicane was added to reduce speed before a dangerous turn. This adjustment changed the driving style considerably and made the track safer without losing its demanding character.