Formula 1 has confirmed that there will be a 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix. In February, an F1 Commission Meeting took place. After the meeting, the F1 Commission released a statement. They revealed that Formula 1 intended to fill the vacant slot on the 2021 F1 Calendar with the Portuguese Grand Prix. After the FIA and the race promoter approved of this decision, confirmation was given to the idea.
There are a record-breaking 23 races on this year’s calendar, but there was one open slot. This open slot was for Round 3 of the 2021 F1 Season. The GP weekend would be from the 30th of April to the race on the 2nd of May. Originally, there were many predictions for which race would fill this spot, but now we know that Portugal has filled it.
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In 2020, for the first time in 24 years, Portugal hosted a Formula 1 Grand Prix. The COVID-19 pandemic saw major changes to the F1 calendar. Many countries were in no shape to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix. So F1 turned to a range of countries and circuits. All of these places had either never hosted an F1 race before, or had hosted one, but not recently. Formula 1 decided to race in Portugal as one of the improvised rounds. The Algarve International Circuit was an incredible circuit, and the COVID-19 cases in Portugal were incredibly low at the time. Going to Portimao turned out to be as expected; a perfect decision and a fan favourite.
That’s one of the reasons why Formula 1 decided to race in Portugal this year as well. The fans loved the action and unpredictable weather. The undulating track added excitement to the side-by-side battles. And of course, Lewis Hamilton claimed his record-breaking 92nd victory in Formula 1. Portugal also proved to be very much capable of hosting a Formula 1 race safely. Last year 27,000 fans were able to make it to the Portuguese Grand Prix. That’s massive attendance for a race happening during a global pandemic. Hopefully, the race can bring such numbers safely again this year.
“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’re 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. 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, added: “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 their confidence in Portugal, the Algarve and the Algarve International Racetrack for choosing our country to host a stage of the F1 calendar, and to express our full commitment to make it a big success.”
Here at F1ntastic, we feel that this is the perfect decision, and that you guys will love the 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix. Are you as excited about Portugal remaining on the F1 calendar? Let us know in the comments below! Stay safe, stay on the lookout for new posts, and enjoy F1ntastic!
