Paulo Pinheiro, Director The Algarve International Circuit (AIA) died this Wednesday.
The racecourse’s management highlights the life of a man who “dedicated his life to the development of motorsport in Portugal and to establishing the Algarve and the country as one of the greatest international stages of this sport.”
“His remarkable human and professional qualities impressed all who had the privilege of coming into contact with him and working with him.”
A mechanical engineer by training and former pilot, Paulo Pinheiro conceived and carried out the construction of the AIA in Portimão in 2008, being one of those responsible for the return of Formula 1 and MotoGP to Portugal.
The Algarve Circuit has been part of the MotoGP World Championship calendar since 2020, hosting five races since then, and was also the scene of the return of Formula 1 in 2020 and 2021.
In addition to the AIA, he also founded and managed the Parkalgar Racing Team, a motorsport and racing team.
Reactions:
ABOUT The presidentMarcelo Rebelo de Sousa mourned the death of Paulo Pinheiro.
In a note published on the official website of the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa “regrets the early death of Paulo Pinheiro, founder of the Algarve International Circuit, an institution he led with the same passion he had for motorsport and motorcycling.”
“The President of the Republic expresses his sincere condolences to his family and friends,” the same note says.
ABOUT President of the Portuguese Automobile and Karting Federation. (FPAK), Ni Amorim, believes motorsport is “losing a great driver” with the death of Paulo Pinheiro.
“I have been following the situation for the last two months, when I was admitted to intensive care in France. I was very sad this morning when I received the message with the news. He was a great entrepreneur, a fighter, a promoter of motorsport,” praised Ni Amorim.
A Algarve tourist region stressed the “heavy blow” dealt by the death of Paulo Pinheiro.
“The death of Paulo Pinheiro, administrator of Parcalgar, the management company of AIA, represents a serious blow to the entire region and to tourism in particular, which sees the disappearance of a great promoter of the project, responsible for attracting thousands of international fans of motor sports,” said a statement released by the Algarve department.
ABOUT President of the Portuguese Motorcyclist Federation (FMP), Manuel Marineiro, believes that the death of Paulo Pinheiro, director of the Algarve International Circuit (AIA), “is a sad thing for Portuguese sport”.
“It’s sad for motorsport in particular and for Portuguese sport in general,” Manuel Marineiro told Lusa.
The president of the FMP was “dismayed” by the news of the death from cancer of the founder and current president of the AMA board of directors.
“I would like to highlight the importance he had in motorsport in Portugal due to the dynamism he managed to create, firstly, by implementing the AIA and, secondly, by the success he subsequently achieved in several national and international championships. We all enjoyed working with him,” stressed Manuel Marineiro, who expressed “condolences to the family” on his own behalf “and to the FMP.”
Read the statement from the circuit administration:
It is with great sadness and horror that the management of the Algarve International Circuit announces the death of engineer Paulo Pinheiro, its founder and chairman of the board of directors.
Engineer Paulo Pinheiro dedicated his life to the development of motorsport in Portugal and to the establishment of the Algarve and the country as one of the great international arenas of this sport, while at the same time he contributed to the development of the national and regional economy, leaving behind a legacy that is unique in Portugal.
His remarkable human and professional qualities were noted by all who had the honor of communicating with him and working with him.
At this moment of pain and horror, the Algarve International Circuit administration expresses its condolences to all the family and friends of Paulo Pinheiro.
The funeral ceremony will be announced later.
Author: morning Post This Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
I’m Dave Martin, and I’m an experienced journalist working in the news industry. As a part of my work, I write for 24 News Reporters, covering mostly sports-related topics. With more than 5 years of experience as a journalist, I have written numerous articles on various topics to provide accurate information to readers.