Organised by the British-Portuguese Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Museu do Caramulo, and with the support of AFIA (Associação de Fabricantes para a Indústria Automóvel) and CEFAMOL (Associação Nacional da Indústria de Moldes), the event will feature an exclusive fireside chat between Carlos Tavares, former CEO of Stellantis, and Mark Preston, Team Principal and Motorsport Director at Lola Cars, Formula E pioneer, and former Formula One Technical Director with McLaren, Super Aguri and Arrows.

The session will be moderated by Adelino Dinis, Editor of Welectric and one of Portugal's most respected automotive journalists.

Motorsport as a Catalyst for Innovation

Motorsport has long served as a high-intensity innovation laboratory, accelerating advances in performance, safety, efficiency and sustainability. Today, as the automotive industry undergoes a profound technological transformation, the relationship between racing and road vehicle development is becoming increasingly important.

The discussion will examine how technologies currently being developed in Formula E and other leading motorsport categories are influencing the next generation of passenger vehicles. Topics will include battery efficiency, energy management, electrification, advanced materials, aerodynamics, artificial intelligence, simulation technologies and the future of sustainable mobility.

The speakers will also explore how innovation cycles between manufacturers, suppliers and motorsport organisations are evolving, creating new opportunities for collaboration across the automotive value chain.

Strengthening International Collaboration

Alongside the technical discussion, the event will highlight opportunities for collaboration between Portuguese companies and UK automotive and mobility businesses seeking partners for innovation, engineering, sourcing and advanced manufacturing projects.

The organisers believe the event offers a unique platform to foster dialogue between OEMs, technology providers, engineering specialists, automotive suppliers, mould makers, mobility innovators and industry leaders at a time when competitiveness increasingly depends on technological excellence and international cooperation.

Credits: Supplied Image;

Networking and Automotive Heritage

Following the fireside chat, attendees will participate in a networking lunch designed to encourage discussion and collaboration among industry leaders and stakeholders.

Guests will also enjoy a guided visit of the museums housed within the Caramulo Experience Centre, including the acclaimed Magical Formula exhibition, which features some of the most iconic Formula One cars in history, including:

  • Lotus 97T driven by Ayrton Senna
  • Williams FW14 driven by Nigel Mansell
  • Lotus 100T driven by Nelson Piquet
  • Copersucar FD04 driven by Emerson Fittipaldi
  • Ferrari F1-2000 driven by Michael Schumacher

Event Details

Date: 2 October 2026
Venue: Caramulo Experience, Caramulo, Portugal
Partners: Museu do Caramulo
Supporting Organisations: AFIA and CEFAMOL

Editor's Notes

Carlos Tavares is the former Chief Executive Officer of Stellantis, one of the world's largest automotive manufacturers, overseeing brands including Peugeot, Citroën, Opel, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Jeep and Maserati.

Mark Preston is Team Principal and Motorsport Director at Lola Cars, a pioneer of Formula E and former Formula One Technical Director with McLaren, Arrows and Super Aguri. He is widely recognised for his work in electric mobility, motorsport innovation and artificial intelligence applications in transportation.

Museu do Caramulo is one of Portugal's most prestigious automotive and historical museums, attracting visitors from around the world through its unique collections and internationally recognised motoring events.

Bookings for the event may be made via https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/t7y6tfhsJ7