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# Portugal back as third round of 2021 F1 season
- URL: https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-intends-to-hold-portuguese-gp-as-third-race-in-2021/
- Published: 2021-02-11T16:37:00.000Z
- Updated: 2023-09-16T17:16:38.000Z
- Description: F1 has communicated its intention to host its third race of 2021 at Portugal’s Portimao track, which debuted as an F1 venue last year
- Author: Edd Straw
- Tags: Formula 1, #image-bottom-right

Formula 1 has confirmed its intention for the Portuguese Grand Prix to take up the vacant ‘TBC’ slot on the 2021 calendar on May 2, following a meeting of the F1 Commission.

The race was revived in 2020 after being absent from the F1 calendar since its last appearance in 1995, and was staged at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao that proved popular with drivers and fans.

It has long been expected to take up its place on the calendar, but while an agreement in principle is understood to have been in place for some time there had been uncertainty given the impact of COVID-19 on Portugal, which is currently in a period of national lockdown. This led to [the possibility of a second race being held in Bahrain in its place,](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/second-bahrain-gp-an-option-for-f1-outer-circuit-may-return/) although this was always only a fallback option.

[![](https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2020/10/XPB_1026574_HiRes-300x210.jpg)](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/12-portugal-f1-moments-you-may-have-forgotten/)

12 Portugal F1 moments you may have forgotten

[Read more](https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/12-portugal-f1-moments-you-may-have-forgotten/)

The race has not yet been definitively confirmed because, as an F1 statement puts it, “the final agreement is still subject to contract with the promoter”. But given the intent to host the race has now been officially announced, it is now effectively part of the 2021 calendar on a provisional basis.

F1 has re-iterated the importance of the COVID-19 protocols it adopted last year and stressed it is continuing to liase with event promoters and national governments to ensure the 2021 calendar is delivered despite the ongoing pandemic.

“Robust COVID-19 protocols enabled Formula 1 to run 17 events in 2020 and will enable us to run a world championship again in 2021,” said F1’s statement.

“While changing circumstances may require flexibility, the FIA and Formula 1 are working at all levels from government to local organisation to ensure that the calendar goes ahead as planned.”

![Portuguese GP F1](https://storage.googleapis.com/the-race-com.appspot.com/1/2021/02/XPB_1065731_HiRes-1-1024x683.jpg)

Portugal is currently among the country on the UK’s ‘red list’, which means anyone returning directly to the UK would either need to spend 10 days in hotel quarantine on arrival. While last year F1 personnel were granted exemptions from such quarantines, this will not happen in this case.

The Spanish Grand Prix follows the Portuguese Grand Prix, meaning that personnel could travel onward to Barcelona on the next weekend then return to the UK without quarantine once they have spent 10 days outside of Portugal. However, given the Monaco Grand Prix follows on May 23, UK-based personnel could remain in mainland Europe for the duration of those three events.

### Latest F1 calendar

**March 28:** Bahrain  
**April 18:** Imola  
**May 2:** Portimao (subject to promoter agreement)  
**May 9:** Barcelona  
**May 23:** Monaco  
**June 6:** Baku  
**June 13:** Montreal  
**June 27:** Paul Ricard  
**July 4:** Red Bull Ring  
**July 18:** Silverstone  
**August 1:** Hungaroring  
**August 29:** Spa  
**September 5:** Zandvoort  
**September 12:** Monza  
**September 26:** Sochi  
**October 3:** Singapore  
**October 10:** Suzuka  
**October 24:** Austin  
**October 31:** Mexico City  
**November 7:** Interlagos  
**November 21:** Melbourne  
**December 5:** Saudi Arabia  
**December 12:** Abu Dhabi