Portuguese Grand Prix to Make Formula 1 Return?

Portugal could make a surprise return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027, according to the country’s Prime Minister.

The Portuguese Grand Prix last appeared on the Formula 1 schedule in 2021 but it could be set to make a return, according to Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, who says that “everything is ready” for the event to make a return at the Portimão circuit.

At the political meeting Na Festa do Pontal, Montenegro outlined the nation’s intention to return to the Formula 1 scene. He spoke of the financial benefits of staging major sporting events in the Algarve region – but also acknowledged that the circuit would require governmental investment to be able to stage Formula 1 races again:

“One of the circumstances that most contributes to promoting this region is major events. We have secured the MotoGP, the world’s premier motorcycling event, for 2025 and 2026. And I can tell you that we have everything ready to formalise the return of Formula 1 to the Algarve next year, in 2027. These events require some financial effort on the part of the government, but they have a direct financial return and an indirect promotional return that are, quite frankly, well worth it.”

MotoGP returned to Portugal in 2020 following an eight-year absence. The motorcycle race at Portimão continues to be run annually. In 2024, the event attracted a reported 175,000 fans across the weekend, an increase of almost 100,000 on the 2022 figure.

The Portuguese Grand Prix returned to the Formula 1 schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, when Algarve International Circuit – also known as Portimão – welcomed the sport for the first time. It returned for a second time in 2021 when it filled a vacant slot at relatively short notice, but has not appeared since.

F1 is yet to stage a fully-attended race at the track. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 race was limited to just under 30,000 attendees, while the 2021 race took place behind closed doors.

There have been 18 Grands Prix held in Portugal in total. Prior to its 2020 revival, the event was held at Estoril in every season between 1984 and 1996, with Ayrton Senna famously taking his first win at the track in 1985 and Niki Lauda claiming his third and final title there by just half a point in 1984. Both of the most recent races in Portugal were won by Lewis Hamilton.

Portugal’s Competition in Re-Joining the F1 Calendar

With a maximum of 24 races able to appear on the Formula 1 calendar annually, there a limited number of slots which Portugal could fill on the schedule. The majority of current host circuits are already signed up until at least 2028, with the longest contracts – in Miami and Austria – running through to 2041.

Portugal faces tough competition from other countries vying for a spot on the calendar. Negotiations for a race in Thailand and a race on the African continent appear to be at the most advanced stages, with the two prospective projects most likely to become the next new Grand Prix hosts.

The 2026 Formula 1 calendar was announced in June, featuring 24 races. It includes a new event in Madrid – the new home of the Spanish Grand Prix. The Dutch Grand Prix will depart the calendar after 2026 and with Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya widely expected to follow suit, there could be two spots available on the schedule from 2027 onwards.

Another potential option for Portugal if it were to re-join the calendar would be to rotate with Spa-Francorchamps, host of the Belgian Grand Prix, which is due to enter into a rotational deal later this decade. Under its latest deal, the Belgian Grand Prix will not appear on the schedule in 2028 or 2030. It is yet to be announced with which circuit it will alternate – though another event in Europe, given that it is held during the European season, makes sense and would align with F1’s net zero 2030 carbon goals.