Paulo Pinheiro died after battling rapidly progressing cancer
Paulo Pinheiro, founder and CEO of the Algarve International Autodrome (AIA), has died at the age of 52.
The news was confirmed in a statement posted by the racetrack on its social media pages.
“It is with immense sorrow and consternation that the board of the Algarve International Racetrack announces the passing of engineer Paulo Pinheiro, its founder and chairman of the board,” the statement reads.
“Engineer Paulo Pinheiro dedicated his life to the development of motorsport in Portugal and to establishing the Algarve and the country as one of the major international stages for this sport, while also contributing to the growth of both the national and regional economy, leaving a unique legacy in Portugal,” it adds.
The AIA team also highlight Pinheiro’s “remarkable human and professional qualities,” which “left a mark on all who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.”
“In this moment of grief and consternation, the Algarve International Racetrack board extends its condolences to all of Paulo Pinheiro’s family and friends,” it says, adding that the “funeral ceremonies will be announced in due course.”
Further tributes have been pouring in since the news of Paulo Pinheiro’s death was made public.
The Algarve tourism board (RTA) has described his death as a “severe blow to the entire region and to tourism in particular, as it loses the greatest promoter of a project responsible for bringing thousands of international motorsport fans to the country.”
“With his tenacity and contagious joy, Paulo Pinheiro made a bold and clear-sighted investment in an asset that, in less than two decades, has achieved the role of ambassador for the region beyond its borders,” the tourism board states. “The loss of this unwavering motorsport fan, who made the dream of building an international racetrack in his hometown, Portimão, a reality, is a tremendous loss for us all”.
RTA goes on to describe Paulo Pinheiro’s journey as representative of “entrepreneurship, persistence, and work ethic that characterises the people of the Algarve and sets the Portuguese people apart”.
“Let us know how to honor his legacy and continue the work he developed,” the tourism board says.
Paulo Pinheiro’s passing has also prompted tributes from some of the world’s and Portugal’s biggest motorsport figures, such as Jorge Viegas, president of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM), and Ni Amorim, president of the Portuguese Federation of Motorsports and Karting (FPAK).
Speaking to Lusa news agency, Jorge Viegas described the death as a “great loss for the country”, stating that Paulo Pinheiro was as a “very important figure for motorsport in Portugal, particularly regarding international events like the MotoGP, Formula 1, or the World Superbike Championship,” which he brought to the Algarve circuit.
“In recent times, we collaborated immensely to keep the Portuguese MotoGP Grand Prix and to help some Portuguese riders compete in international championships,” said Viegas, who leads the world’s top motorcycling organisation.
The FIM boss also admitted that his passing came as a “great surprise because he was very young and still had much to give”.
Meanwhile, Ni Amorim provided further insight into the last difficult months of Pinheiro’s life.
“I followed the situation over the past two months, during which he was in intensive care in France. I was very saddened early this morning when I received a message with the news. He was a great entrepreneur, fighter, and promoter of motorsport,” said Amorim.
“He was a personal friend, in a relationship of mutual respect. It is a great loss for the country,” he added, recalling that Paulo Pinheiro “had just been honoured with an award from the Portuguese Sports Confederation, proposed by the FPAK, but he was already unable to receive it as he was hospitalised.”
Paulo Pinheiro passed away on Wednesday after battling against rapidly progressing cancer.
