Portuguese Grand Prix to take place on May 2

Formula One has announced that the Portuguese Grand Prix will take place between 30th April – 2nd May, filling the last vacant spot on the 23-race calendar.

The coronavirus pandemic forced the sport last year to heavily update its 2020 calendar. The modified schedule saw Portugal make its return to the sport by Portimao hosting its first Grand Prix in October. The track that is reminiscent to a rollercoaster received praise from the drivers and the fans and lived up to its expectations by delivering a sensational and action-packed round.

While most of the races took place without spectators, Portugal was able to welcome 27,000 fans who could enjoy the on-track action. The first race in Portugal after 25 years was won by Lewis Hamilton who was joined by Valtteri Bottas and Max Verstappen on the podium.

Formula One has now revealed that Portugal is set to join the record-braking 23-race calendar, hosting its second race at Portimao between 30th April – 2nd May. The sport is currently evaluating whether fans can attend the race this year with the decision expected to be taken by the authorities in the coming weeks.

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

“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.”

Rita Marques, Portugal’s Secretary of State of Tourism, added: “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.

„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,” he said.