1959 Portuguese Grand Prix

Having started Grand Prix racing in Portugal last year with the race at Porto, enthusiasm for such racing continued and this year the Portuguese Grand Prix was held at Lisbon, the National Automobile Club ringing the changes on the venue for their major motor-racing event in the same way as Great Britain does. For some years now sports-car racing has been held at Lisbon, on the Monsanto circuit just outside the town, and it was this circuit that was chosen for the Grand Prix.

Portugal is a peaceful and happy country and, possibly in consequence of this, they still encourage real road racing, unlike most other countries who have turned to artificial circuits. The Monsanto circuit has long been a favourite with sports-car drivers and past races have had some pretty select entries, many of them returning to the circuit more than once, for it is truly a ‘drivers’ circuit.