Portugal returns to Formula 1 calendar

Formula 1 organisers have confirmed the Portuguese Grand Prix will return to the calendar in 2021.

It comes a month after organisers signalled plans for the race in Portimao to be added to the schedule in the wake of coronavirus induced calendar disruptions.

Algarve International Circuit hosted Formula 1 for the first time in October last year, attracting a 27,000 strong crowd.

The second edition of the grand prix in Portimao will take place on May 2.

Fan attendance for the 27th running of the Portuguese Grand Prix has not been confirmed as yet.

“We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing again in Portimao after the huge success of the race last year,” said Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1 president and CEO.

“We want to thank the promoter and the Portuguese Government for their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point.

“We are confident and excited about our 2021 season, having shown last year that we could deliver 17 races safely and bring our millions of fans thrilling racing at a difficult time.

“We hope to welcome fans to Portimao again this season in a safe way and are working with the promoter on the details of that plan.”

The Portuguese Grand Prix will be the third round on the Formula 1 calendar this year following the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

“Holding major events in our country is very important for the image and international promotion of Portugal as a tourist destination, and so it is with great interest that we see the return of Formula 1 to the Algarve in 2021, said Portugal’s secretary of state tourism, Rita Marques.

“I want to thank the FIA and F1 for its confidence in Portugal, the Algarve and the Algarve International Racetrack by choosing our country to host a stage of the F1 calendar, and to express our full commitment to make it a big success.”

2021 Formula 1 calendar