Portugal confirmed on 2021 F1 calendar

F1

The Portuguese GP confirmed to return with a race at Portimao on May 2

Start of the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao

Dan Istitene/F1 via Getty Images

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James Elson

The Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao has been confirmed on the 2021 F1 calendar.

With Australia and China both postponing their grands prix due to Covid-19 restrictions, slots were left to fill on this year’s itinerary.

Though Portimao was slated to return on the weekend of April 30 – May 2 in February, the space was left as ‘TBC’ on the calendar due to concerns over whether Covid regulations would restrict access for teams.

It is now clear the event will be able to go ahead whilst complying with regulations, and so has been confirmed.

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

“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.

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“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, also said: “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.”

F1 returned to Portugal for the first time in 25 years last year, providing a thrilling opening few laps as Carlos Sainz leapt into the lead and Kimi Raikkonen scythed through the field.

Lewis Hamilton eventually reasserted his authority to take a record 92nd win.

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