Auto racing publications are reporting that the owners of the Algarve’s International Racetrack in Portimão have begun talks with Formula 1’s owners to bring the championship back to Portugal.
“It is believed the Portuguese government asked Algarve circuit bosses to explore the possibility of bringing F1 back to the European country,” according to Motorsport and Autosport.
The publications add that talks have already taken place but discussions are at an “early stage”.
In April, the racetrack took to social media to announce that it was finally ready to host an F1 race.
But Joana Melo, who is in charge of the autodrome’s press and publicity, told the Resident at the time: “We cannot support the costs – but who knows what can happen in the future.”
The racing magazines add that the racetrack “understands it is a competitive market, with France returning to the calendar after a 10-year hiatus, with a race at Paul Ricard in 2018, along with Germany.”
However, it says that “the Portuguese economy is bouncing back after a tough period and the government is believed to be in a position to supply funds – providing the fee is sensible.”
The last time Portugal hosted a Formula One race event was in 1996 in Estoril.
