A popular name is set to return to the F1 schedule for the 2027 campaign after a short absence.

AUTO-PRIX-F1-POR

Lewis Hamilton has won both modern races in Portimao (Image: Getty)

F1 will reportedly head back to Portimao in 2027, six years after hosting the second win of Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 title challenge. An announcement is expected this week after months of negotiations with Portugal’s prime minister, Luis Montenegro.

Montenegro announced his government’s plans to bring the Portuguese Grand Prix back to the schedule at the traditional PSD Festival in Pontal earlier this year, and according to SIC, the foundations have been laid for the Algarve International Circuit to return to the calendar in 2027 and 2028.

Discussing the plan back in August, Montenegro said: “One of the circumstances that most contributes to the promotion of this region is the large events. We secured the MotoGP, the premier event of motorcycling worldwide, for 2025 and 2026.

“And I am in a position to tell you that we have everything ready to formalise the return of Formula One to the Algarve next year, in 2027. These events imply some financial effort on the part of the government, but they have a return, both direct financial and indirect in terms of promotion, that is, frankly, worthwhile.”

News of Portimao’s return will no doubt be popular among drivers, who praised the Algarve International Circuit’s unique characteristics. The track has extreme undulations, drawing obvious comparisons to a rollercoaster as the cars dip and peak over the blind hills.

“The undulations are incredible,” Hamilton said after experiencing the track for the first time in 2020. “There’s a lot of places where you can’t see where you’re going. The exit of Turn Eight, you’re looking at the sky for a period of time, and you have no idea what’s beyond the hill.

Portuguese GP - Free Practice
Portimao was popular among drivers and fans (Image: Getty)

“Also, into [Turn] 11, you don’t know where you are and all of a sudden it arrives at you out of nowhere. Very challenging, and the surface is very smooth, you see a lot of people making mistakes, sliding and spinning. It’s not been an easy day.”

However, others were less complimentary. Throughout the two race weekends in Portimao, grip was a constant issue as drivers battled to stay within the confines of the track. Max Verstappen was one of the most vocal in criticising the lack of grip.

“We are struggling a lot to find the balance, and I didn’t enjoy one single lap this weekend, just because of the state of the track,” he said in 2021. “The layout is amazing, but the grip we are experiencing, I don’t think is nice. I know it’s the same for everyone, but for me personally, it’s just not enjoyable to drive.”