It’s official – Formula 1 returning to the Algarve. Formula 1 has confirmed that the Portuguese Grand Prix will run as the third round of the 2021 season, returning to Algarve on 2 May. The Portuguese Grand Prix will rejoin the Formula 1 World Championship for the 18th time, the second consecutive time in the Algarve.

Formula One returned to Portugal in 2020, to the Algarve International Racetrack, after a 24-year absence from the Championship following the reorganisation of the calendars due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali said: “We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing again in Portimao after the huge success of the race last year”.

“We are 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 want to thank the promoter and the Portuguese government for their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point” he added.

Also the Association of Hoteliers and Similar Industries of the Algarve (AHISA) welcomed the announcement of the Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimão in May and praised the work done to ensure it.

For the hotelier, the indirect effects for the image of the Algarve are phenomenal. The possibility of this year’s event having an audience is seen as ideal, something that provides a different kind of involvement for the participants, but it is an option that requires evaluating the pros and cons with due care.

“It was worth the effort of the Algarve Autodrome, the Algarve Tourism Board, the Portuguese Tourism Board and the Portimao City Council to bring this great race that is a stage to show that the destination is open and that it is safe,” to the president of the Algarve Tourism Region.

Source : THE PORTUGAL NEWS, FORMULA 1