Cai o pano de uma edição memorável do Estoril Classics

The final day of the 10th edition of Estoril Classics brought a truly special atmosphere to the Estoril Circuit, with the grandstands packed and the paddock full of fans who did not want to miss the culmination of a weekend dedicated to the heritage of motorsport. The presence of Bernie Ecclestone, an iconic figure in Formula 1 history, added a unique sense of occasion to the atmosphere throughout the day.

The atmosphere was electric from early on. In the grandstands, spectators followed every race with enthusiasm, while in the paddock countless enthusiasts took a close look at machinery that defined different eras of competition. The presence of Bernie Ecclestone, former Brabham team principal and chairman of FOCA, reinforced the historic link between Estoril Classics and the origins of modern Formula 1, in a setting that brought back memories of decades of racing.

The second Classic GP race, for Formula 1 cars dating up to 1986, was the highlight of the day. The McLaren MP4/1, driven by Tom Bradshaw, produced a stunning charge from the back of the grid to victory, earning applause from the grandstands. Nick Padmore’s Lotus 87, starting from pole, set a strong pace from the outset, but could not withstand the McLaren’s blistering speed and was unable to repeat yesterday’s victory.

Steven Brooks’ Lotus 91 secured third place to complete the podium under the watchful eye of Bernie Ecclestone, who saw on track machines from an era in which he was one of the most influential figures in the Formula 1 paddock.

But the event was about far more than Formula 1 single-seaters. In the second Endurance Racing Legends race, Olivier Galant’s Panoz LMP1 Roadster S took another victory, repeating its success from the previous day and confirming its superiority among the modern prototypes. Mike Newton’s MG EX264 LMP2 again secured a podium finish, this time in second, while Emile Breitmayer’s DBA 03S, which remained in contention for victory until the penultimate lap, finished third, underlining the consistency of the three protagonists throughout the weekend.

In The Gentlemen Challenge, Volker Hichert’s Bizzarrini 5300 GT won the second race, reversing the previous day’s result, when Luc-Pierre Verquin’s Lister Knobbly Chevrolet had been the car to beat. This time, Verquin finished second, followed by Carlos de Quesada and Catesby Jones in the Porsche 904/6 Carrera GTS.

Maxime Guenat’s Lola T286 was again the car to beat in Classic Endurance Racing 2, taking victory after a strong performance. Stéphane Nguyen’s Lola T282 finished second, while Yves Scemama’s TOJ SC304 completed the podium. Guenat’s second victory of the weekend underlined his authority throughout the event.

The Swiss driver was one of the standout performers throughout the weekend, taking the Ford Capri RS 3100 to victory in Classic Endurance Racing 2 and confirming its superiority among the Touring Cars after securing pole position. The BMW 3.0 CSLs completed the podium, with Olivier and Emile Breittmayer taking second and Dominique Guenat and Guillaume Mahé third, recreating the atmosphere of the great battles from the European Touring Car championships.

Classic Endurance Racing 1 once again delivered a race steeped in the atmosphere of the golden era of sports-prototypes and GT endurance racing, with machinery that left an indelible mark on the 1960s and 1970s. Victory went to Jan Magnussen and Chris Ward in the Lola T70 Mk3B GT, which set a consistent pace throughout the one-hour race. Close behind, Claudio Roddaro’s Porsche 917 K reinforced its legendary status, recalling on track the impact this model made in the great endurance races of the era. The podium was completed by Emile Breittmayer’s Lola T70 Mk3B Spyder, which delivered a strong performance.

Bringing another outstanding weekend of racing at the Estoril Circuit to a close, the imposing Iberian Historic Endurance grid, supported by Liqui Moly, took to the asphalt of Portugal’s oldest permanent circuit. Forty-five prototypes, GTs and Touring Cars built up to 1976 lined up on the start-finish straight for a 45-minute race that promised, and ultimately delivered, a final spectacle of speed.

Carlos Barbot and Pedro Matos took victory in the Merlyn MK4 after an entertaining race, finishing ahead of Carlos Brízido and João Pina Cardoso in the Porsche 911 3.0 RS, with Alex Collins third in the Ford GT40.

Estoril Classics brought its 2026 edition to a close with a strong crowd and a series of unforgettable races featuring machinery that defined different chapters in motorsport history. Once again, the event fulfilled its mission: to remember the past while creating new memories, giving spectators moments that will stand the test of time. That is what Estoril Classics is all about: a meeting point between history, emotion and a passion for motorsport.