Ferreira Confirms Portugal’s Continued UIM F2 Championship Role Through 2026
Portuguese Federation President reveals the massive logistical operation behind back-to-back championship rounds and announces gala dinner for Sunday’s finale
Paulo Ferreira, President of the Portuguese Motorboat Federation (FPM), has become one of the most important figures in the UIM F2 World Championship, organising back-to-back rounds that have established Portugal as a cornerstone of the international racing calendar. Speaking exclusively to Powerboat.News ahead of Sunday’s championship finale at Vila Velha de Ródão, Ferreira revealed the enormous logistical challenges of staging two races and confirmed his commitment to continuing through 2026.
John Moore: Paulo, good morning. It’s good to see you again, and I think on behalf of the Formula 2 racing community, we’d like to thank you. This is your fifth year of putting two races on in Portugal. That must be quite an effort for you and your team.
Paulo Ferreira: “I guess it’s 2020. I made the first two races exactly in Vila Velha de Ródão during the Covid time to save the World Championship, because they had won race and needed to make two more races because the obligation is three races for the World Championship. This is the reason I made the third race in Vila Velha, and after this, all years the World Championship finale is in Vila Velha de Ródão for the World Championship.”
JM: Absolutely. Now it must take a lot of work to put on these events.
PF: “Yes, and back-to-back, is much work. It’s two times for cranes, pontoons, the water course… and one big superpower! For today I organised and I have people working with me for tomorrow from 09:00. I organise the gala dinner for the finale of the World Championship.”
JM: Wow, where would that be held?
PF: “Yes, it’s in the heart of Vila Velha de Ródão, in the hotel courtesy of the Portuguese Federation.”
JM: That sounds fantastic.
JM: I love Vila Velha, it’s fantastic. And talking about the town, you’ve had help again from the municipality.
PF: “Yeah, the balance is very good. Of course, I have one wonderful relationship with the mayor, with the people. And then for 2026, of course, I want to make again the two races in Portugal.”
JM: That’s good news. But also, you want to thank your sponsors.
PF: “It’s my big sponsor. I appreciate it. I have two big sponsors. Without these sponsors, it’s impossible to organise these races. One is Mercedes, and another is Liqui Moly.”
JM: Well, thanks for talking to us today, Paulo. I know you’re very busy, so thanks for the time.
PF: “Thank you. Cheers.”
The Man Behind Portugal’s F2 Success
Ferreira’s commitment to the UIM F2 World Championship included the challenging Covid period of 2020, when the international racing calendar faced unprecedented disruption. His willingness to step up and organise 2 rounds in Vila Velha de Ródão quite literally saved the World Championship, ensuring the three-race minimum required for a valid championship.
What began as an emergency solution has evolved into a Portuguese powerboat racing tradition, with Vila Velha de Ródão now established as the permanent venue for the championship finale. The town’s embracing of the event, from mayoral support to community engagement, has created an atmosphere that drivers and teams consistently praise.
The Logistical Challenge
Organising back-to-back championship rounds represents a massive logistical undertaking. As Ferreira explains, everything must be duplicated, cranes for boat handling, pontoon systems, safety infrastructure, and course preparation. The scale of the operation requires months of preparation and a dedicated team working around the clock during race weekends.
The addition of a championship gala dinner further demonstrates the Portuguese Federation’s commitment to creating a premier experience for competitors. By offering the celebration at their own expense, the FPM has elevated Vila Velha de Ródão beyond just a racing venue to become a true championship celebration destination.
Community Partnership
The relationship between the Portuguese Federation and Vila Velha de Ródão municipality has become a model for how local government and racing organisations can work together. The mayor’s personal involvement, including hosting media and officials, shows the level of civic pride in the championship.
This community support has been crucial to the event’s success, providing not just logistical assistance but creating the welcoming atmosphere that has made Vila Velha de Ródão feel like home for UIM F2.
Sponsored Success
Ferreira’s acknowledgement of Mercedes and Liqui Moly as essential partners highlights the commercial realities of modern motorsport organisation.
The commitment to continue through 2026 provides stability for the championship calendar and ensures that Portugal’s role as the spiritual home of F2’s title deciders will continue for years to come.
As the 2025 championship reaches its climax this weekend, Paulo Ferreira and his team can take pride in having created not just racing events, but a championship tradition that has become central to the UIM F2 World Championship’s identity.
John Moore has a longstanding involvement in event organisation and powerboat racing journalism. He organised the historic Cowes–Torquay–Cowes races between 2010 and 2013 and was actively involved with British offshore racing from 2017 until 2025.
In 2017, Moore founded Powerboat Racing World, a digital platform providing global powerboat racing news, insights, and event coverage.
He is now Editor of Powerboat.News, continuing to contribute to the sport’s media landscape with in-depth reporting and analysis.
