Having held Formula 1 (F1) winter testing sessions in 2008/9, at Portimão’s newly-built Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve, the FIA has just confirmed that F1 will return to Portugal, more specifically to Portimão, after a 24-year absence.
Portugal hosted the Grand Prix for three years, between 1958 and 1960, twice at the Boavista street circuit in Porto and once on the Monsanto circuit built on parkland close to Lisbon.
When F1 returned in 1984 it did so at the purpose-built Autódromo de Estoril just outside Lisbon but, 13 years later the race moved to Spain due to improvements not being completed on the Estoril track.
The Ferrari Challenge is racing at Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve this weekend, see here for more details, with other races in 2020 including the FIM Superbike World Championships, the European Le Mans series and now the Formula 1 Heineken Portuguese Grand Prix.
Daniel Ricciardo is encouraging about the inclusion of the Portuguese track in the F1 race calendar. “I actually have good memories in Portimao,” said Ricciardo. “It was where I wrapped up an F3 championship [the 2009 British Formula 3 International Series] and it was a circuit I really enjoyed. Some good elevation, and quite good, flowing fast corners.”
Tickets are available for the Heineken Portuguese Grand Prix, click here, which is being held over the weekend of October 23-25. They are selling fast and with 5,000 people expected it is advisable to buy tickets quickly.
The Superbikes will be racing over the weekend of August 7-9 with tickets starting at €25, it will surely prove to be an exciting track visit. For more information about the race and tickets click here.
October not only sees the Heineken Portuguese Grand Prix but also the European Le Mans Series, taking place from October 30 to November 1. The Le Mans race is one of the world’s main endurance competitions and this year features 4-hour races at different venues, originally six however this has been cut due to the pandemic.
The Portimão track is the last in the series and with tickets starting at €10 and with the possibility of access to the Paddock (available for all over 16 years) this series is an affordable day/weekend out for the family.
Currently the last event at Autodrómo Internacional do Algarve is the Algarve Classic Festival which is the biggest classic car event in the Iberian Peninsula.
Taking place over three days, November 6-8, the festival will host 11 European Classic Championships and will offer all who love classic cars the opportunity to enjoy these historic cars. For information on tickets click here.
Image © vivaportimao.pt