The circuit in Portimão should host the F1 Grand Prix at least in 2027 and 2028.
What has been speculated for several months and recently talked about by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro has now been officially confirmed. The Portuguese Grand Prix will return to the F1 calendar in 2027, hosted by the modern Portimão circuit.
Portugal last appeared on the world championship calendar in the so-called “covid” years of 2020 and 2021, when F1 responded to limited travel options. It was then that the Grand Prix returned after a long hiatus – for the first time since the 1990s – but not on the traditional track in Estoril. Instead, he got the opportunity at the circuit in Portimão, located in the popular touristic Algarve region.
About the track in Portimão
The circuit in Portimão, officially called the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, is one of the youngest and most rugged tracks in Europe. It was opened in 2008 and is often compared to a rollercoaster due to its significant elevation. The 4.653 km track offers a combination of fast corners, sharp braking and technical sections, which places high demands on the drivers and single-seater settings.
In 2020, Lewis Hamilton took his 92nd F1 win here, surpassing Michael Schumacher in the number of wins. The Brit subsequently won here in the 2021 season.
Under the agreement announced today between F1 representatives, the Portuguese government and the circuit, the Portimão Grand Prix will be part of the calendar for at least 2027 and 2028, with the possibility of further contract extensions. The return of Portugal will thus expand the European part of the season with a race that received very positive reviews during a short episode in the pandemic years.
Although the date of the race has not been specified, it can be assumed that the GP of Portugal will take over the date after the GP of the Netherlands, which takes place at the end of the summer and will leave the calendar after 2026.
“I am thrilled that Portimão is returning to the Formula 1 calendar and that the sport continues to ignite the passion of our incredible Portuguese fan base. The circuit offers thrilling on-track battles from the first corner to the checkered flag and its energy lifts fans out of their seats. Demand for a Formula 1 Grand Prix is at an all-time high,” said F1 boss Stefano Domenicali in a press statement, which also he thanked the representatives of the Portuguese government.
