One of the 49 nations that took part in the inaugural FIA Motorsport Games at Vallelunga in 2019, Portugal came one step away from winning a medal with Matilde Maria and Martim Maria finishing fourth in Karting Slalom.

Portugal’s FIA National Sporting Authority, the FPAK (Federação Portuguesa de Automobilismo e Karting) now returns for the second edition of the unique event, where drivers competes for gold, silver and bronze medals on behalf of their country,

Increasing their involvement from three to eight disciplines, Team Portugal will field 12 drivers across Cross Car Junior, Drifting, Esports, Formula 4, Rally 4, Karting Sprint Junior and Karting Sprint Senior. The nation also enters the first all-female team in Karting Endurance. 

Racing for their nation’s honour will be Manuel Espírito Santo in Formula 4, Ricardo Sousa and Luís Marques in Rally 4, João Vieira in Drifting, Guilherme Matos in Cross Car Junior, Rodrigo Seabra in Karting Sprint Junior, and João Cavaca in Esports.

Five female drivers have also earned their place in the Team Portugal squad, with Francisca Queirós confirmed for Karting Sprint Senior, and Sofia Correia, Mariana Machado, Rita Teixeira and Anastacia Khomyn in Karting Endurance.

Ni Amorim, President of FPAK, comments: “This is an event that follows the line of the Olympic Games and that aims to be a landmark in the world scenario. Under the seal of the FIA it is a true showcase of talent for the world. Our representation is much higher this year than 2019 and has young but experienced drivers who will try to bring as many medals to Portugal as possible. I seriously believe that the investment made in these areas will bring dividends for all the drivers involved as well as for the national motor sport,” he said.

“Furthermore, we are delighted to be able to enter five female drivers. In a mostly male sport where gender equality has evolved, but very slowly, we welcome the choices we present for these games. We are sure that they will fight equally and that they will achieve the goals they set for themselves: fighting for the best results. We wish all our athletes luck.” 

Before the Portuguese delegation departs for Marseille, the drivers will attend a media conference on October 12 at 6.30 pm at the Portuguese Olympic Committee in Lisbon.

Entries for the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games are open until Sunday, 25 September via the dedicated FIA registration platform. Competitors wishing to represent their country are encouraged to contact their respective National Sporting Authorities, a full list of which can be found here: fia.com/members/member_club/sport-mobility-3/member_club/sport-1

Team Portugal supporters can register for free access to all four days of on and off-track action at the FIA Motorsport Games, at Circuit Paul Ricard, Veynes, and Saint Baume. To secure your free ticket to the FIA Motorsport Games 2022, simply register by completing the brief form at https://www.fiamotorsportgames.com/marseille. 

Team Portugal:

Cross Car Junior - Guilherme Matos

Drifting - João Vieira

Esports - João Cavaca

Formula 4 - Manuel Espírito Santo

Karting Endurance - Sofia Correia, Mariana Machado, Rita Teixeira and Anastacia Khomyn

Karting Sprint Junior - Rodrigo Seabra

Karting SPrint Senior - Francisca Queirós

Rally4 - Ricardo Sousa and Luís Marques