Formula 1 is set to head back to Portugal in 2027 after a two-year agreement was struck, marking another big step forward for the sport’s rotation plan.
The country has deep ties with the sport, having hosted its first race in Porto back in 1958. Over the years, the event has moved through Monsanto and Estoril, and featured some iconic moments. The F1 championship itself was famously decided there during the Senna vs Prost rivalry.
It will join Spa-Francorchamps as part of F1’s new rotating calendar. The Belgian Grand Prix will stay on through extensions signed for 2026, 2027, 2029 and 2031.
The Dutch Grand Prix is scheduled for its final race in Zandvoort in 2026. It is not yet clear what event Portugal will directly replace or where it will fit on the schedule just yet.
Portugal hasn’t hosted a Grand Prix since Portimao was used during the disrupted COVID-19 seasons of 2020 and 2021. Lewis Hamilton won both those races and spoke highly of them at the time.
Lewis Hamilton ranks Portimao among his Top F1 tracks
Hamilton took the win at the 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix while on his way to a record-equalling seventh world title. That race, his 92nd career victory, saw him surpass Michael Schumacher’s all-time wins record – a tally he has since increased to 105.
He followed that up with another win in 2021 and made it clear ahead of the race how much he enjoys both the circuit and Portugal itself. Speaking to Portugal Resident about whether he’d like Portimao added back full-time, Hamilton said:
“It was great being in Portugal and the race was spectacular. I grew up watching the Portuguese Grand Prix in Estoril, so it was great to return to Portugal to compete. It was also fantastic to see a new group of fans, something we hadn’t seen in a long time.
“There are areas where we cannot see the exits, the hills and the ups and downs, and times where all you see is the sky.”
“It is an incredible combination of bends, with the bonus of being able to follow and overtake other cars. The Austin racetrack is one of my favourites, but Portugal has joined the top.”
F1 fans pushing for popular circuits to join the schedule after Portimao
With Portimao now locked in for 2027, there’s growing talk about which other circuits might follow suit. F1 has been open about its interest in expanding the calendar with new venues, and fan discussions have already started to pick up.
The idea of Istanbul Park returning isn’t new. The Turkish Grand Prix was a regular feature from 2005 to 2011, made a brief comeback during the COVID-19 disruptions, and quickly reminded fans why they loved it. The circuit remains a strong candidate for reinstatement.
There’s also chatter about Saudi Arabia potentially adding a second race by building another street circuit. While nothing is confirmed, these kinds of additions could shift how we view the F1 season.
The calendar looks set for more change in the near future, but Portimao’s return is one move that already has plenty of backing from both drivers and fans alike.
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