“It is with enormous regret and consternation that the AIA Administration announces the death of engineer Paulo Pinheiro, founder and President of the Board of Directors”, reads the statement.

Mechanical engineer by training and former pilot, Paulo Pinheiro conceived and undertook 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, with five races since then, and was also the stage for the return of Formula 1, in 2020 and 2021.

In addition to AIA, he also created and directed the motorcycling and motorsport team Parkalgar Racing Team.

“His remarkable human and professional qualities marked everyone who had the privilege of contacting and working with him. In this moment of pain and consternation, the AIA Administration extends its condolences to all of Paulo Pinheiro's family and friends”, concludes the statement from the circuit's advisors.

“Hard blow”

The Algarve Tourism Region highlighted the “hard blow” caused by the death of Paulo Pinheiro.

“The death of Paulo Pinheiro, administrator of Parkalgar, the management company of AIA, represents a severe blow for the entire region and for Tourism in particular, which sees the disappearance of the great promoter of a project responsible for bringing thousands of international fans of motorsport to the country”.

Algarve Tourism presented its “heartfelt condolences” to Paulo Pinheiro’s family, highlighting his importance in this sector.

“Paulo Pinheiro, with his tenacity and contagious joy, made a bold and far-sighted bet on an asset that achieved, in less than two decades of life, the role of ambassador for the region across borders. The loss of this unconditional motorsport fan who made his dream of building an international race track in his homeland, Portimão, a reality, constitutes a huge loss for everyone”, continues Turismo do Algarve.

According to an entity led by André Gomes, “Paulo Pinheiro's path represents the best of entrepreneurship, persistence and work capacity that make up the character of the people of the Algarve and distinguish the Portuguese”.