The 2021 Portuguese Grand Prix takes place this weekend with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to go to battle once more: Everything you need to know ahead of the race
- The F1 2021 season continues on Sunday with the Portuguese Grand Prix
- Max Verstappen was victorious last time out at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
- The battle between Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is set to continue
- Hamilton won the Grand Prix last year, with team-mate Valtteri Bottas in second
After a thrilling opening two races to the 2021 Formula One campaign, the action resumes once more this weekend with the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton put on a defensive masterclass to claim the first race of the season in Bahrain, but he made a costly error at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as rival Max Verstappen took the victory.
The action resumes on Sunday at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with the Portuguese Grand Prix, which was an historic race last year, with Hamilton claiming his record-breaking 92nd race win.
The Brit is just a solitary point ahead of his rival Verstappen heading into the third Grand Prix of the season, and after such drama in the first lap last year, we can only hope for another race just as entertaining.
With the intriguing spectacle approaching, Sportsmail takes you through everything you need to know.
Lewis Hamilton claimed his record 92nd Grand Prix win at the Portuguese GP last year
When is the Portuguese Grand Prix?
The Portuguese Grand Prix is set to take place on Sunday, May 2, with the race getting underway at 3pm BST.
The first and second practice sessions will take place on Friday, April 30, with each session lasting an hour.
The final practice session starts at 12pm on Saturday morning, before qualifying gets underway on the same day at 3pm.
How to watch the Portuguese Grand Prix
As with the entirety of the 2021 season, Sunday’s Grand Prix will be available to watch on the Sky Sports Formula One channel.
Sky Sports subscribers can also watch the race online by streaming it on Sky Go.
Viewers can also buy Sky Sports day pass from NowTV for £9.99, with a month pass at £33.99.
Channel 4 will also provide highlights of the qualifying rounds at 7.30pm BST on Saturday and the race itself at 6.30pm on Sunday.
You can also keep up-to-date with the build-up and the race itself on Sunday with Sportsmail.
Portuguese Grand Prix race schedule
The race at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve starts at 3pm on Sunday, May 2
With Red Bull looking so strong this season, qualifying is now more important than ever for the likes of Hamilton and Mercedes.
Of course, it’s not the be-all and end-all, with Hamilton finishing second last time out having started on pole.
Nevertheless, both the practice sessions and qualifications will give us an early indication of how the race will go. Below is the race schedule in full.
Friday, April 30
- Practice 1: 11.30am
- Practice 2: 3pm
Saturday, May 1
- Practice 3: 12pm
- Qualifying: 3pm
Sunday, May 2
Portuguese Grand Prix odds
Hamilton and his rival Max Verstappen (right) will once again go head-to-head on Sunday
With Hamilton and Verstappen claiming a win apiece in the first two races of the season, it comes as no surprise that the pair are inseparable among the bookies.
As stated, it was Hamilton who emerged victorious at the Portuguese Grand Prix last year, but he and Verstappen come into this year’s race as joint-favourites, while Valtteri Bottas is in third.
- Max Verstappen – 5/4
- Lewis Hamilton – 5/4
- Valtteri Bottas – 8/1
- Sergio Perez – 8/1
- Lando Norris – 30/1
- Charles Leclerc – 30/1
*Odds as per Betfair and correct at the time of publication.
Portuguese Grand Prix race details
2020 winner: Lewis Hamilton
Circuit length: 4.653km
Laps: 66
Race distance: 306.826km
Race lap record: 1:18.750 (Lewis Hamilton, 2020)
First Grand Prix: 2020
Formula One driver standings
Hamilton sits top of the standings after claiming a bonus point for the fastest lap last time out
Formula One constructor standings
Mercedes remain top of the constructor standings after the opening two races of the season