WTCR Hasten of Portugal switches to Estoril for 2021, new three-year settlement with Vila Proper reached

A venue steeped in historical past and with a thrilling circuit structure to match, Estoril is the brand new home of Portugal’s WTCR weekend for 2021 constant with govt restrictions referring to mass gatherings at single areas that are because of remain in space except August.

These restrictions, the cease consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, own made staging WTCR Hasten of Portugal on the successfully-known Vila Proper boulevard circuit − the assign spectator numbers cannot be controlled as a result of observe’s compact urban surroundings − no longer most likely in 2021.

Nonetheless, Eurosport Occasions, the WTCR promoter, is happy to shriek a new three-year settlement for Vila Proper to host WTCR Hasten of Portugal from 2022.

To minimise disruption to WTCR stakeholders, including teams, suppliers and broadcasters, the authentic date of WTCR Hasten of Portugal, June 26-27, stays unchanged.

The change of venues has got stout approval from the FIA and FPAK, the Portuguese ASN.

François Ribeiro, Head of Eurosport Occasions, talked about:  “The priority became once repeatedly to defend WTCR Hasten of Portugal on the 2021 calendar. While it’s a mountainous disgrace that we won’t expertise Vila Proper’s warm welcome for a 2nd season as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, in Circuito attain Estoril we are able to count on an vibrant facility with a reputation for mountainous racing and a mountainous crew of participants to work with, appropriate love we attain in Vila Proper. We thank the FIA and FPAK for accommodating the change of venues on the identical date and we send each upright rob to the participants of Vila Proper, who we peek forward to assembly again next season after we open our new three-year settlement as a result of persisted enthusiasm and enhance of Mayor Santos.”

António Lima, President, Motor Clube attain Estoril, talked about: “For Motor Clube attain Estoril it is with mountainous pride that we receive a WTCR round at Estoril Circuit. Once we started conversations with Eurosport Occasions, we were in a assign to change our calendar to accommodate this prestigious trudge. We grasp that the structure of the mythical Estoril Circuit, the improbable map of Cascais and the organisational capability of the Motor Clube attain Estoril are the say that this might well perchance be a memorable occasion. I might well well love to proper my because of FPAK and Estoril Circuit for the enhance in carrying out this occasion and to Eurosport Occasions for their belief and ride away the say that the Estoril Circuit will repeatedly be on hand to receive them. I rob this opportunity to congratulate the Vila Proper Circuit for the new three-year settlement to host WTCR Hasten of Portugal from 2022. To your total WTCR household, welcome to the Estoril Circuit, expertise this map and own relaxing!”

Rui Santos, Mayor of Vila Proper, talked about: “Sadly, for the 2nd consecutive year, Vila Proper will doubtless be unable to welcome WTCR and expertise the placement because the national capital of motorsport. It is very sad for us since we’re celebrating 90 years for the reason that first races took space in Vila Proper, in 1931. Nevertheless we now can own to be pragmatic and realise that, what makes our circuit weird and wonderful, is the proximity of the general public, free earn admission to, conviviality and ambiance, which is never any longer successfully matched with the field health crisis we’re experiencing. Despite this, we’re very elated to own agreed with Eurosport Occasions the return of WTCR for the subsequent three years, starting in 2022. We can simplest formalise this partnership after the municipal elections, scheduled for September, so as no longer to situation whoever wins these elections, but it is a mountainous pride to realise that, in one of these few years, Vila Proper has established itself in world motorsport and has proven itself to be an ideal and involving circuit. In any case, we wish the 2021 WTCR Hasten of Portugal, in Estoril, will doubtless be a mountainous success.” 

Five Estoril information

• Circuit opened in 1972 and staged its first Formulation One big prix in 1984 with Ayrton Senna claiming his maiden Formulation One victory there the next season.
  
   
• Measuring 4.182 kilometres in dimension, the observe facets 13 corners and a open/enact straight 986.5 metres lengthy.
  
   
• Estoril is no longer any stranger to FIA World Touring Automobile racing having hosted WTCC Hasten of Portugal in 2008. Home hero Tiago Monteiro became once a hugely standard winner within the 2nd of two races.
  
   
• Along with being an established car-racing venue, MotoGP and EWC races own been staged at Circuito attain Estoril with the EWC returning in 2020.
  
   
• Phases of Rally de Portugal, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship, own been held at Estoril within the past.