The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, otherwise known as Portimão Circuit, remain in close contact with Formula One Management {FOM) about the possibility of hosting a Grand Prix in 2020, with the chance that the Portuguese track could host two races.
With doubts remaining around the majority of the Formula 1 calendar due to the coronavirus pandemic, tracks that were not on the original schedule have been in talks with F1 bosses, and Portimão is one of those venues, with two dates of September 27 and October 4 touted.
The September 27 date is currently held by the Sochi Autodrom, with the Russian track possibly holding two races of its own, but whilst nothing yet to be confirmed, the Algarve track are expecting a decision in the upcoming weeks, with the final calendar set to unveiled by the end of July.
“We are in contact with FOM and in strong negotiations,” said a Portimão spokesperson to Motorsport.com. “As Ross Brawn has said, it is a possibility.
“For now nothing is confirmed, but we know that there is a lot of willingness among the teams that Portugal be chosen for the calendar and we are working very hard and doing everything we can to have the F1 in our race track.
“We are the option that everyone wants, from the location, the track, the large facilities that allow greater safety distance, the climate, the hotels and the reduced impact in the country of COVID-19.
“Any decision only will be made in July.”
Portugal last hosted a Grand Prix back in 1996 when Jacques Villeneuve won at the Circuito do Estoril for Williams Racing, with the race famous for the Canadian’s amazing overtake of Michael Schumacher around the outside of the final Parabolica corner.
