Portimao wants Russia’s spot on the 2022 calendar

Portimao’s circuit boss is in talks with Formula 1 about the Portuguese venue filling Russia’s empty spot on the 2022 calendar.

Formula 1 announced last week that under current circumstances it was “impossible” for Russia to host a grand prix, the country having invaded Ukraine.

That statement didn’t include the word ‘cancelled’ prompting Russian GP promoters to say that the race had only been “suspended”.

“The agreement between the official Russian Grand Prix promoter Ano ‘Rosgonki’ and Formula 1 is suspended due to force majeure events,” Rosgonki said in a statement.

“The purchased tickets are not cancelled – there is no need to get refunds for them now because it is still possible the round will take place and will be held as previously scheduled.”

The matter was clarified on Tuesday with the FIA confirming “upon proposal of the F1 Commercial Rights Holder, cancellation of the 2022 Russian F1 Grand Prix for reason of Force Majeure”.

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BREAKING: Nikita Mazepin can continue to race in #F1 under a neutral flag. He has not been banned. https://t.co/ylB6kRoRB8

— PlanetF1 (@Planet_F1) March 1, 2022

There is already a list of circuits wanting that vacant spot with Portimao in the mix.

The Algarve International circuit was used in 2020 and again in 2021 as Formula 1 dealt with the pandemic, but it wasn’t included on this year’s calendar.

Portimao’s circuit