Formula 1 has confirmed that the Portuguese Grand Prix will return in 2027 and 2028, with races set to be held at the Algarve International Circuit near Portimão. The announcement has sparked a key question among fans: is Portugal being added to the calendar, or is it replacing another race?
Based on current confirmations, the Portuguese Grand Prix is a replacement, not an addition.
Why Portugal is a replacement race
Formula 1 has already clarified that Portugal’s return will replace the Dutch Grand Prix, which will be staged at Zandvoort for the final time in 2026. With Zandvoort exiting the calendar, Portugal fills that vacant European slot for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. As a result, the overall number of races on the F1 calendar is not expected to increase because of Portugal’s return.
The two-year agreement also indicates that Formula 1 is being cautious about long-term commitments. Rather than expanding the calendar further, the sport appears focused on rotating venues and managing demand from multiple promoters interested in hosting races.
Why it is not an addition
Formula 1 has repeatedly highlighted the challenge of calendar congestion, with teams, drivers, and personnel already facing one of the longest seasons in motorsport. Adding new races without removing others has become increasingly difficult. As F1 President Stefano Domenicali has stated previously, interest in hosting a grand prix is at an all-time high, forcing the sport to make strategic choices rather than simply expanding the schedule.
Portugal’s return follows this logic. The Algarve International Circuit previously hosted races in 2020 and 2021, proving it could step in seamlessly when required. Its comeback after a six-year absence offers continuity without increasing logistical strain.
What the two-year deal suggests
The limited 2027–2028 timeframe strongly suggests that Portugal’s role may be temporary or rotational. Formula 1 is keeping its options open as future projects—such as new permanent circuits, expanded Middle Eastern events, or additional street races—continue to develop. Portimão provides a reliable European option while those long-term plans are assessed.
The bottom line
The Portuguese Grand Prix in 2027 is a confirmed replacement for the Dutch Grand Prix, not an additional race. Its return ensures stability on the calendar while Formula 1 balances growing global demand with the practical limits of an already crowded season.
