2021 Formula One season to start in Bahrain on March 28

Formula One, meanwhile, confirmed on Friday that the vacant May 2 slot in the calendar will be filled by the Portuguese Grand Prix. The Portimao circuit, in the Algarve, will host a Grand Prix for the second time in its history.

The only previous occasion came last October - the first in Portugal for 25 years.

The Portuguese GP will be the third race in the 2021 season and will be followed a week later by neighbouring Spain, meaning a straightforward transition from the Algarve to Barcelona.

“We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing again in Portimao after the huge success of the race last year,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1.

Twenty-seven thousand spectators were in attendance last autumn when Lewis Hamilton won his record-breaking 92nd Grand Prix and the organisers are keen to replicate that in spite of current coronavirus restrictions.

“We hope to welcome fans to Portimao again this season in a safe way and are working with the promoter on the details of that plan,” said Domenicali.

The May 2 slot was left vacant after the cancellation of the 2021 Vietnam Grand Prix for the second year in a row.

Revised 2021 calendar

March 28: Bahrain (Sakhir)

April 18: Italy (Imola*)

May 2: Portugal (Portimao)

May 9: Spain (Barcelona)

May 23: Monaco

June 6: Azerbaijan (Baku)

June 13: Canada (Montreal)

June 27: France (Le Castellet)

July 4: Austria (Spielberg)

July 18: Britain (Silverstone)

August 1: Hungary (Budapest)

August 29: Belgium (Spa-Francorchamps)

September 5: Netherlands (Zandvoort)

September 12: Italy (Monza)

September 26: Russia (Sochi)

October 3: Singapore

October 10: Japan (Suzuka)

October 24: United States (Austin)

October 31: Mexico (Mexico City)

November 7: Brazil (Sao Paulo)

November 21: Australia (Melbourne*)

December 5: Saudi Arabia (Jeddah**)

December 12: Abu Dhabi

* subject to World Motor Sport Council approval

** subject to circuit homologation