F1MATHS: Key numbers and facts ahead of the return of the Portuguese Grand Prix
Just days after the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Formula 1 announced that it will return to Portugal in 2027 and 2028 as part of a two-year agreement with the Portuguese government, Turismo de Portugal, and promoter Parkalgar, Parques Tecnológicos e Desportivos. F1Technical's senior writer Balazs Szabo delivers some key numbers and stats regarding the Portuguese Grand Prix.
The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, more commonly known as Portimão, last hosted F1 events in 2020 and 2021, and was a key venue in the sport’s return to racing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Set in the idyllic Algarve in Portugal’s southernmost region, the 4.6km circuit offers drivers a technical challenge with significant elevation changes, culminating in a plunge down to the final right-hander leading back to the pit straight.
Some of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 have reached the top step on the podium in Portugal including Stirling Moss, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Nigel Mansell. Senna famously won his first Formula 1 Grand Prix at Estoril in 1985.
More recently, Portimão was the circuit where Lewis Hamilton surpassed Michael Schumacher’s record of all-time wins after he secured his 92nd victory in 2021. Hamilton remains the only driver on the current grid to win at the circuit having also taken the chequered flag in 2020.
.. and then it began to rain..
— Ayrton Senna 🇧🇷 Tribute (@F1_AyrtonSenna) December 16, 2025
On 21 April in 1985, Ayrton Senna secured his first ever F1 win at the Portuguese GP in Estoril, leading the wet race from pole.
We miss you, Ayrton and your passion for the sport. pic.twitter.com/IMHEvvRKxZ
Inaugural race - The Portuguese Grand Prix was first held in 1951 as a sportscar event, and then intermittently disappeared for many years before being revived again. In 1964 event was held as a sportscar race, and the 1965 and 1966 editions being held for Formula Three entrants.
Four locations - Portugal has a long history in Formula 1, hosting its first Grand Prix in Porto in 1958, as well as holding race weekends in Monsanto and Estoril across the sport’s 75 years. Most recently, the event took place at Portimao.
Estoril has hosted a total of 13 races while Porto and Portimao have both organized two races each. Monsanto only hosted a single F1 race.
Three periods - The event was part of the Formula One World Championship in 1958–1960, then again between 1984 and 1996, and after a long hiatus, it was revived for 2020 and 2021 and for 2027 and 2028. A total of 18 F1 races have taken place in Portugal.
The most successful drivers - Alain Prost and Nigel Mangell are the most successful drivers in the history of the Portuguese Grand Prix, with both of them having won three times apiece.
Stirling Moss won on two occasions - in 1958 and 1959 while Lewis Hamilton is also a two-time winner in Portugal, having taken victory in the two coronavirus-influenced seasons in 2020 and 2021.
Six - Williams have won six times in Portugal, which makes the Grove-based outfit the most successul squad. McLaren have clinched two victories, followed by Ferrari, Mercedes and Cooper, all of which have been victorious constructor on two occasions apiece.
Title decider - The Portuguese Grand Prix was the final race of the 1984 season, and the McLaren duo of Niki Lauda and Alain Prost remained in contention for the ultimate glory.
The Austrian led the standings by 3.5 points ahead of the weekend, but Prost appeared to be the fastest driver at the last race. The French driver won the race while Lauda finished second, which was fractionally enough for him to win the championship title by 0.5 points, the smallest margin in Formula One history.
Safety concerns - After 1996, the Portuguese Grand Prix disappeared due to circuit safety concerns and financial issues — only returning in 2020 because of the COVID‑19 calendar reshuffle.
The infamous black flag - Nigel Mansell ignored a black flag at Estoril in 1989 after a pit‑lane incident and collided with Ayrton Senna — both were disqualified.
The wild Porto street circuit - The original 1950s races were held on a tight, cobbled street circuit in Porto — complete with tram tracks. Stirling Moss called it one of the most dangerous tracks he ever raced on.
Last victory - Seven-time F1 world champion Michael Schumacher’s 1993 win at Estoril was his last for Benetton before his first title year.
