Portimão Honours Paulo Pinheiro at the Autódromo do Algarve
Motorsports fans and Algarve residents alike have a special event to mark on their calendars. On 27 March, at 5.30 pm, a brand-new sculptural installation will be unveiled to honour Paulo Pinheiro, the visionary founder of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA).
The inauguration, jointly promoted by the Municipality of Portimão and the AIA, will take place at the circuit’s main roundabout. This area has been deeply tied to the founder and is now known as the “Rotunda Paulo Pinheiro,” a tribute first announced by the Mayor of Portimão, Álvaro Bila, in September 2024 to recognise Pinheiro’s decisive role in creating the track.
Created by sculptor A. Miguel, the monument evokes Pinheiro’s entrepreneurial spirit and enduring legacy. Pinheiro was a crucial figure in putting the Algarve on the global motorsports map, single-handedly turning his vision into an internationally recognised infrastructure and successfully bringing the world’s biggest racing competitions to Portugal.
The timing of the unveiling is profoundly symbolic: it takes place on the opening day of the 2026 Superbike World Championship. This is a fitting nod to the track’s history, as it was the Superbike World Championship that originally marked the official inauguration of the Autódromo back in November 2008.
The unveiling ceremony is open to the public, offering the community a chance to come together and celebrate the man who made this incredible venue a reality.
For more information on the upcoming Superbike World Championship and to grab your tickets, visit the Autódromo do Algarve website. To learn more about local events, culture, and municipal news, head over to the City of Portimão website.
To read an article on the Algarve Autódromo by our sports editor, David Lugg, click here.
