Top-tier motor racing series Formula 1 will return to Portugal in 2027 after a six-year break.
The Portimão venue in the Algarve, in Southern Portugal, formally known as the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, will stage a round of the prestigious F1 World Championship in 2027 and 2028, with a two-year deal having been unveiled today.
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The agreement has been signed off on by F1, the Portuguese government, the country's tourism authority, and a promoter, Parkalgar, Parques Tecnológicos e Desportivos.
The 2.89-mile track – opened in 2008 – is essentially replacing Zandvoort in the Netherlands as an F1 host venue – that circuit will put on a Grand Prix for the last time in 2026.
Portimão staged F1 action during the Covid-affected 2020 and 2021 F1 seasons, and was a key venue for the series at a time when other locations were unavailable due to the pandemic's spread.
Portugal first hosted F1 action in 1958, then did so again during the 1984-96 cycle, before putting on the two aforementioned races during the Covid-affected seasons.
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By GlobalDataThe last winner of that Grand Prix was iconic British driver Lewis Hamilton, four years ago.
Aside from F1 action, Portimão has also hosted races from the MotoGP, World SBK, and WEC motorsport series over the last few years.
Stefano Domenicali, Formula 1's president and chief executive (CEO), has commented on the tie-up: "I’m delighted to see Portimão return to the Formula 1 calendar and for the sport to continue to ignite the passion of our incredible Portuguese fanbase. The circuit delivers on-track excitement from the first corner to the chequered flag, and its energy lifts fans out of their seats."
The most recent F1 venue to extend its hosting rights contract was the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, US. The US Grand Prix will, therefore, continue to take place at that location through 2034.
In late September, meanwhile, the Baku City Circuit in the Azerbaijan capital cemented its place on the series calendar through 2030.
Jaime Costa, chair and CEO of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, added: "The Portuguese Grand Prix will showcase the excellence of our circuit and the passion of our fans, delivering a powerful boost for our tourism, region, and community. This achievement was only made possible with the continuous support – since the beginning – of the Portuguese government."
The 2025 F1 season finished earlier this month, with the 2026 campaign set to get underway on March 8 in Melbourne, Australia.
