May 2, 2021, the last F1 race in Portimão before 2027

On May 2, 2021, the Algarve International Circuit hosted the Portuguese Grand Prix for the second consecutive year—behind closed doors, like almost all races held during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Portimão circuit, with its blind corners and pronounced elevation changes, had already made a strong impression upon its return to the calendar in 2020. In 2021, it delivered a high-quality Grand Prix, dominated from start to finish by Lewis Hamilton at the wheel of his Mercedes Benz W12.

Starting second behind his teammate Valtteri Bottas but in front Max VerstappenInitially, the two Alfa Romeo They collided, bringing out the safety car. At the restart, the Briton was caught out by the Dutchman, but it didn't last long as the Mercedes regained the lead on lap eleven. Lewis Hamilton then overtook his teammate at the first corner of lap twenty. Once in the lead, he was never challenged again. His 97th career victory, achieved by managing his medium tires with a mastery his rivals couldn't replicate.

Portimão returns in 2027

Six years after that Grand Prix, the Algarve International Autodrome will once again host the Formula 1Formula 1 has announced the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix to the calendar with a contract covering two editions starting in 2027. Stefano Domenicali, president and CEO of Formula 1, praised a circuit that "Offers thrilling sensations from the first turn to the checkered flag." Portugal has a long-standing relationship with the sport: the first Grand Prix in the country dates back to 1958, held in the streets of Porto, and it was in Estoril that Ayrton Senna secured his very first F1 victory in 1985.

It was also in Portimão, in October 2020, that Hamilton broke the absolute record for victories of Michael Schumacher by winning for the 92nd time. The paddock that will take to the Algarve asphalt in 2027 will be very different from that of 2021 — new cars, new regulations, new balance of power. But the circuit itself will remain unchanged, promising another demanding Grand Prix, where the drivers will have to, as former driver Franck Montagny summarized, "To forget their habits and completely rethink how they integrate reference points." See you in 2027 for the return of the Portuguese circuit, as well as that of Türkiye, which has also just been announced for next season.

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