Circuito da Boavista

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Circuito da Boavista was a Formula One street course in Oporto (Porto), Portugal used twice for the Portuguese Grand Prix.

The course began at the harbor-front "Esplanada do Rio de Janeiro", continued on "Avenida do Boavista" (hence the circuit's name), and then twisted its way through small neighborhoods back to the start-finish line. First a grand prix event in 1958, the course of Boavista took drivers at amazing speeds across tramlines, past small houses, and over cobblestoned streets.

The 1958 event is remembered for an act of good sportsmanship by Stirling Moss. Moss came to the defense of fellow countryman (and title rival) Mike Hawthorn, who had run afoul of the stewards (and oncoming traffic) during an off-track excursion during the race. Moss persuaded the stewards to not disqualify Hawthorn, perserving 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 former or future champions Moss, John Surtees, Phil Hill, Graham Hill, and others.