Formula 1 is set to make its return to Portugal in 2027, with races scheduled at the Algarve International Circuit, better known as Portimao.
Portugal has a notable F1 past, having hosted races in Porto and Estoril over the years. More recently, it stepped in during the pandemic-affected 2020 and 2021 seasons when most events stayed within Europe.
Fans will recall those races clearly. Lewis Hamilton won both for Mercedes, and his first win in 2020 was especially significant – it was his record-breaking 92nd victory. Since then, he has pushed that total to an impressive 105 wins.
The calendar is not getting any bigger than its current 24 races, so F1 plans to rotate tracks in and out instead. That rotation is how Portimao found its spot for both the 2027 and 2028 seasons.
However, Max Verstappen may have suggested that he’s not particularly eager about going back there.
Why Max Verstappen’s comments on ground effect cars hint he might not enjoy F1’s return to Portimao
During an appearance on the Talking Bull podcast, Verstappen was asked what aspect of the ground effect era he would be happy to leave behind once the regulations shift in 2026.
He said: “The stiffness of the cars. Like you had to run them very low and to the ground. And for our backs and everything, it was quite tough.
“Like cornering 5 and a half G on average, but in some tracks, because it was a bit bumpy or whatever, and then the cars being so low to the ground, you bottom out so aggressive.
“For example, in Austin, I would hit like 9G vertical load. So that is really not nice for your spine and your neck. Everything was always like blocked, and we trained for it, and I know it’s part of racing, but that for me is a little bit too extreme.”
Austin has a reputation for its rough track surface. Portimao is not much different; in fact, it might be even tougher with, elevation changes at nearly every turn.
If Verstappen felt nine Gs through corners in Austin during the ground effect era, Portugal could pose an even bigger challenge – although regulation changes may help reduce some of those impacts by then.
Lewis Hamilton has a very different view of the returning Portuguese Grand Prix
Verstappen had some good results in Portugal during those two years, finishing third in 2020 and second in 2021, but he never managed to challenge Hamilton directly.
The Briton won both races with Mercedes during his run to a seventh world title in 2020 and narrowly missed out to Verstappen the following year. Since then, Hamilton has been working to regain his form after struggling under the ground effect regulations, and Portugal’s return could be another boost for him.
Hamilton called Portimao ‘incredible’ back in 2021 and still ranks it among his favourite tracks. Returning there as a Ferrari driver would add another layer of excitement for him.
Whether that happens remains up in the air, though. His current deal runs out at the end of 2026, but recent reports suggest he might have the option to stay until 2028, which would line up perfectly with Portimao’s two-year slot on the calendar.
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