Portimao will make a shock return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027, as a replacement for the outgoing Dutch Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
The circuit hosted an F1 race for the first time in 2020, a replacement event amid a string of COVID-influenced cancellations elsewhere.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It marked the first Portuguese Grand Prix in 24 years, after Estoril had hosted F1 races from 1984 to 1996.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Portimao then hosted a second race in 2021 after more COVID-triggered cancellations, but didn\u2019t return in 2022.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But since then there\u2019s been a push from the Portuguese government, led by prime minister Luis Montenegro, to bring F1 back to Portimao.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s now going to happen for 2027 and 2028, as Portimao effectively takes the slot left vacant by Zandvoort, which will hold its final Dutch Grand Prix in 2026.<\/p>\n
A new Spanish Grand Prix at the Madring is to replace Imola next year already, with every other European race having a deal that runs to 2030 at least, bar Barcelona.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That race contract expires in 2026, with its future beyond then unclear.<\/p>\n
Spa is remaining on the F1 calendar but under a new rotation system. It won\u2019t hold a race in 2028 and 2030, theoretically leaving another space free.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That could be filled by Barcelona, as the Portimao addition isn\u2019t believed to be a rotation-based deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There\u2019s still lingering interest in a Thailand Grand Prix, with a new street race in Bangkok the most likely venue for that from 2028.\u00a0<\/p>\n