Circuito da Boavista


Circuito da Boavista was a street circuit in Porto, Portugal used twice for the Formula One Portuguese Grand Prix.
The course began at the harbor-front "Esplanada do Rio de Janeiro", continued on "Avenida da Boavista", and then twisted its way through small neighborhoods back to the start-finish line. The first grand prix was held in 1958. The course of Boavista took drivers at high speeds across tramlines, past small houses, over cobblestoned streets and difficult to overtake.
The 1958 event is remembered for an act of good sportsmanship by Stirling Moss. Moss came to the defense of fellow countryman Mike Hawthorn, who had run afoul of the stewards during an off-track excursion during the race. Moss persuaded the stewards not to disqualify Hawthorn, preserving second place, and 6 points, for Hawthorn, who would eventually win the drivers championship by 1 point over Moss.
The 1960 running was a race of attrition, with only four cars finishing within 5 laps of winner Jack Brabham. Accidents and mechanical problems ended the day early for future champions John Surtees, Phil Hill, Graham Hill and others.
SeasonDriverCar/MotorReport
1960 Jack BrabhamCooper-ClimaxReport
Not held in 1959---
1958 Stirling MossVanwallReport
Not held in 1956 and 1957---
1955 Jean BehraMaseratiReport
Not held in 1954---
1953 José Arroyo Nogueira PintoFerrariReport
1952 Eugenio CastellottiFerrariReport
1951 Casimiro de OliveiraFerrariReport

Recent years

The circuit was revived in 2005. The circuit has been shortened from the original layout, now measuring 4.8 km. Now every two years the event takes place, accompanied by some auto-shows and exhibits. 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.