Pedro Castelo is more than just a voice on the radio or a face on television. He is a living memory of Rally de Portugal and a rare example of passion, professionalism, and energy. At 79, he remains a steadfast and inspiring presence in a journey that spans six decades and over 50 editions of the “best rally in the world.”
There are voices that don’t fade with time. They are built from knowledge, charisma, and living memory. Voices that shape the way we experience events. Pedro Castelo is, and always will be, one of those voices. A towering figure in Portuguese broadcasting, a radio enthusiast, a wordsmith, and a true ambassador for Rally de Portugal—a race he has followed since 1968.
“That year was the second Rally de Portugal,” he recalls, with impressive detail. “I missed the next three because of military service, and two or three others due to health issues, including in 2001 when I had heart surgery. In total, I think I’ve missed six or seven editions. No more than that.”
Over 50 editions, and just as many stories to tell
But Pedro Castelo is not only the man who’s been to more than 50 editions of Rally de Portugal—he’s the one who narrated them, who brought them to life both on and off the stages. Whether through Rádio Clube Português, Renascença, RDP, or even RTP, he was always a regular presence. Always with a microphone, a notebook, and an unwavering passion for storytelling from the heart of the world’s greatest rally.
“Doing radio reporting at rallies back in the day was a real adventure. Technicians would literally hang phone lines from pine trees. We’d give directions like ‘National Road 214, km 37.2, next to the big tree,’ and they’d go set up the line there. Then it was just crank the old phone and start broadcasting. Later on, we used the nearest café’s landline—or the village lady’s phone if she had one. Nowadays it’s all much easier. But some of that romance is gone.”
Memorable moments? Many. But one stands out clearly in his mind
“1986—the year of the tragic accident in Sintra. We were at Estoril Sol when the drivers decided to boycott the rally after the fatal crash at Lagoa Azul. I remember a Belgian journalist trying to secretly record the meeting with a tape recorder hidden under a napkin. When the drivers found out, they gave the cassette back... completely erased. It was a tense, strange, and historic moment. It left a lasting mark on the Rally.”
The way Pedro speaks is, in itself, a masterclass in communication: deliberate, emotionally charged, with emphasis in all the right places, and the confidence of someone who’s lived it all. That’s likely where his remarkable talent as a reporter, presenter, and automotive brand spokesperson comes from. He was the first host of Em Órbita, a milestone in Portuguese radio, and gave life to programs like Enquanto For Bom Dia and A 23ª Hora. Later, at RDP, he became Director of Programming, always keeping a watchful eye on the next generation.
But he never lost touch with the ground, the public, and the real country
Pedro knows Rally de Portugal like few others. And he knows the country that welcomes it each year just as well.
“Today, the public has more access to information. There are videos, interviews, live images. But fewer people are out there along the stages. Back then, thousands would camp out, picnic, and live it all in real-time. Now it’s different. Maybe more convenient, but less intense.”
Throughout the conversation, you can’t help but notice the clarity with which he analyzes the rally’s evolution. He talks about the challenges of funding after government support ended, the increasing demands of the FIA, and the pressure on organizers. But he also acknowledges the technological advances and the event’s ability to adapt and maintain its place among the best in the world.
If you asked him to describe Rally de Portugal in three words?
“That’s a tough one... But maybe I’d say: competition, emotion, memory. Because rallying is the best part of motorsport. Sorry—that’s more than three words…”
At 79, Pedro Castelo shows no signs of slowing down. He says he’d like to do “one more edition, at 80,” but laughingly admits he might come back at 81—“even if it’s just to annoy you.” The energy is there. The will too. And as long as there are microphones and engines, it’s hard to imagine Rally de Portugal without Pedro Castelo.
More than a journalist, a natural Communicator
Pedro is a storyteller, a bridge between generations, a link between behind-the-scenes action and the public. A rare, generous human being who has always valued teamwork and knowledge-sharing. A true master of public relations—in both the technical sense and the human one: knowing how to be with everyone, listen to everyone, and make everyone feel part of the story.
This interview, conducted during the 2025 edition of Rally de Portugal, doesn’t aim to summarize his life—it would be impossible. Instead, it seeks to leave a record. Like marking a milestone by the side of the road, so those who come after will know where Master Pedro Castelo once stood.
Thank you, Pedro. For your voice, your memory, and your inspiration. The public—and Rally de Portugal—are richer because of you.