PARIS – Formula One racing is set to return to Portugal for the first time since 1996 after the addition of an event at the Algarve Int’l Circuit on Oct. 23-25.
The event at the track, located in Portimao, Portugal, will be the first Formula One Grand Prix held at the venue. The last Portuguese Grand Prix took place at Autódromo do Estoril.
In addition, Formula One has announced returns to two historic venues. Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy, will host Formula One on Oct. 31-Nov. 1 while Germany’s Nurburgring returns to the schedule on Oct. 9-11.
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari last hosted Formula One in 2006. Formula One last visited the Nurburgring in 2013.
The exact format of the event at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari has not been confirmed, though the Formula One website indicates the two-day race weekend is likely to feature one practice, followed by qualifying and the race.
The addition of these events brings the current Formula One calendar to 13 races. Formula One officials are aiming for a season that features 15 to 18 races after the COVID-19 pandemic forced major revisions to the previously announced calendar.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and local restrictions, Formula One will not race in Brazil, the United States, Mexico or Canada this year.
“We are pleased that we continue to make strong progress in finalising our plans for the 2020 season and are excited to welcome Nurburgring, Portimao and Imola to the revised calendar,” said Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula One.
“We want to thank the promoters, the teams, and the FIA for their full support in our efforts to bring our fans exciting racing this season during an unprecedented time.
“We also want to pay tribute to our incredible partners in the Americas and look forward to being back with them next season when they will once again be able to thrill millions of fans around the world.”