It was confirmed by F1 officials today that the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA) in Portimão will host Portugal's first grand prix since 1996.

The date is set for the weekend of October 23-25, 2020 and will mark the first time the Algarve circuit has been used to stage a grand prix.

Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1, said "we can confirm that Portimão, Imola and Nürburgring will each host Grands Prix this October. We are excited to welcome Portimão as a completely new circuit to the Formula 1 season".

Negotiations have been ongoing for several months since the start of the Formula 1 calendar was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RTP Sports recently reported that the sanitary conditions for a Formula 1 race in Portimão are all met, according to Paulo Pinheiro the administrator of the AIA. A 24 hour endurance race in June proved that all of the procedures intended to be implemented for a Formula 1 race were capable of being met and everyone respected the rules.

Spectators will be limited to just 60% of the circuit's capacity in order to maintain physical distancing regulations.

Renault driver Daniel Ricciardo said of the Portuguese circuit, “I actually have good memories of Portimão. It was where I wrapped up the F3 championship."

“It was a circuit I really enjoyed - some good elevation and again quite good, flowing, fast corners". Asked if he would enjoy returning to Portimão for F1, Ricciardo commented that he "would be very excited”.

The return of F1 to Portugal is considered to be an important historic sporting event, and will be the mostly widely covered event that Portugal has hosted since Euro 2004.

The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is located less than 16km from The Links at Penina, around 12 mins drive.

‍