Negotiations with the Portuguese promoters stalled at one point, as it was one of 33 European countries to feature on the UK’s Covid-19 ‘Red List’. Two back-to-back to races at Bahrain, as held last season, are thought to have been the backup plan if the Portuguese Grand Prix proved impossible.
As things stand, F1 staff and team personnel will travel to Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix on the following week, and are likely to remain in Spain for ten days, which will enable them to avoid quarantine on their return to Britain, as Spain is not on the red list at the moment.
Last year’s race saw a frenetic start, as cars struggled for grip on the damp, undulating circuit, with Carlos Sainz taking a shock early lead.
Lewis Hamilton ran out the eventual winner, taking what was at the time a record 92nd win.