Formula 1 has officially confirmed the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix starting from the 2027 season, marking a significant update to the future F1 calendar. In a move that has come as a surprise to many fans, Portimão will host Formula 1 races in both 2027 and 2028, taking the place of the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort during those seasons.
The Formula 1 circus will therefore return to the Algarve circuit after several years away, with the most recent race at Portimão having taken place in 2021, at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic was still having a major impact on global motorsport. That period saw the Portuguese Grand Prix temporarily reintroduced as part of the reshuffled calendars created to deal with travel restrictions and safety concerns.
Portugal has consistently demonstrated a strong desire to regain a permanent or recurring place in the top tier of single-seater racing, and that ambition has now been rewarded with an official agreement. The last two editions of the Portuguese Grand Prix, held in 2020 and 2021, were both won by Lewis Hamilton. As a result, the seven-time world champion remains the only driver on the current Formula 1 grid to have claimed victory at the Portimão circuit.
The agreement between Formula 1 and Portugal
Formula 1 announced that the Portuguese Grand Prix will once again be part of the championship calendar for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. This agreement was strongly supported by the Portuguese Minister of Economy, and after months of discussions and expectations, the deal has now been made fully official.
Speaking about the announcement, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “I am thrilled to see Portimão return to the Formula 1 calendar and for the sport to continue igniting the passion of our incredible Portuguese fans. The circuit delivers excitement on track from the first corner all the way to the chequered flag, and its energy lifts fans out of their seats. The interest and demand to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix are higher than ever, so I would like to thank the Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, the Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion of Portugal, Manuel Castro Almeida, the Secretary of State for Tourism, Trade and Services, Pedro Machado, the President of Turismo de Portugal, Carlos Abade, the President of the Algarve Tourism Board, Andre Gomes, and the CEO and President of the Algarve International Circuit, Jaime Costa, for their support in bringing Formula 1 back to Portugal. I look forward to working together again to ensure that Portimão returns to the calendar in great style.”
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