The Cooper-Climax was becoming increasingly competitive as the season developed and in qualifying for the Portuguese GP around Lisbon's Monsanto Park Stirling Moss was fastest in his Rob Walker Cooper with the factory cars of Jack Brabham and Masten Gregory second and third. Fourth on the grid was Rob Walker's second car with Maurice Trintignant driving. Jo Bonnier was the fastest non-Cooper runner in fifth place in his BRM. Ferrari was struggling with Dan Gurney sixth and Phil Hill seventh while Tony Brooks was 10th.

In the race Moss took the lead during the first lap with Brabham, McLaren, Gregory and Gurney chasing him. Ferrari lost Phil Hill early on when he spun and pitted when he rejoined his namesake Graham Hill spun his Lotus into the path of the Ferrari, severely damaging both cars. Moss continued without drama but second-placed Brabham spun avoiding the twice-lapped Mario Cabral and hit a telegraph pole. This launched the car back onto the track and Brabham was thrown out. He landed in the middle of the road and was narrowly missed by Gregory when he arrived on the scene. The accident promoted McLaren to third but he suffered a transmission failure and so third place went to Gurney.