Formula 1 could return to Portimao next year as the Portuguese venue is tipped to replace Shanghai on the sport’s 2023 agenda.
China’s never-ending Covid-19 issues have prompted an extension of restrictions and lockdowns in the country and there are no signs that Chinese authorities will wrestle control of the pandemic anytime soon, which has left F1 with no other choice but to scrap for the fourth year in succession its round of racing at the Shanghai International Circuit.
In the wake of the cancellation, Formula One Management said that it is assessing “alternative options to replace the slot on the 2023 calendar and will provide an update on this in due course”.
Portimao, where F1 raced in 2020 and in 2021, is therefore being considered as a potential replacement candidate for China’s mid-April slot.
According to Portuguese news station SIC Notícias, Portuguese Grand Prix organisers are reportedly in talks with Formula F1 and negotiating with the latter on the basis of a €25 million franchise fee for next year’s race.
There exists however a significant hurdle that the two parties will need to overcome: the prospective April 14-15-16 weekend earmarked for the race has already been assigned to a round of the World Endurance Championship at Portimao.
F1 would therefore need to request that the FIA reschedule the April 16 WEC event in the Algarve.
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