Miguel Oliveira returns to Estoril in 2026 for his second WorldSBK home round, going back to a circuit that still occupies a prominent place in his memories. He last raced there in 2012, when he was in his second year in the Grand Prix paddock and beginning his first season with Estrella Galicia. That was also the final season in which Estoril appeared on the MotoGP calendar.

His previous visit ended badly. Oliveira retired from the 2012 race for the second consecutive time, having started that Moto3 season with fifth place in Qatar. This return comes in a very different competitive setting, with Oliveira now representing BMW in the WorldSBK championship.

Recent preparation

His current form leaves room for improvement. Oliveira has recorded just one top-ten finish in the last three rounds, before retiring from both long races at Cremona. He does, however, arrive with recent knowledge of the circuit. His team spent a day testing at Estoril in August, and Oliveira has since completed two further track days there.

Oliveira describes the track as being in excellent condition and says it remains vivid in his memory. He feels more relaxed at Estoril than at Portimao, although he expects strong spectator interest to add intensity to the Portuguese weekend. His aim is to take the racing seriously while still enjoying the return, with a good result as the immediate target.