Nicha Cabral

Brief info

Nicha Cabral was the first Portuguese to race in Formula 1, in 1959

Mário Araújo Cabral, better known as Nicha Cabral, was the first Portuguese to race in Formula 1. In 1959, he made his debut in the “Grande Circo” at the Monsanto Circuit, where he achieved a 10th place in a Cooper T51/Maserati.

After the end of his career in the top category of motor sports, “Nicha” Cabral raced in Formula 2 – a category in which he suffered a violent accident in 1965 in Rouen-les-Essart – and competed in Touring and Prototyping events until 1974. Highlight for the participation in the International Circuit of Vila Real in 1971, at the wheel of the late Porsche 917K David Piper.

After leaving the tracks, Nicha Cabral took up positions as a consultant for Ford Lusitana, helping to streamline the Formula Ford school at the Estoril Autodrome, and who was responsible for helping train drivers such as Manuel Gião, Pedro Matos Chaves or Pedro Lamy (these two with passage through Formula 1).