2021 Formula 1 Portuguese Grand Prix session timings and preview
Formula 1 travels to Portimao this weekend for the third round of the 2021 season. Scroll down to view the full schedule for the Portuguese Grand Prix.
The 2021 F1 season promises the most exciting title fight in years, as Max Verstappen takes on seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton during the last year of the current rules cycle.
Some smart strategic decisions and equally brilliant driving saw Hamilton draw first blood in Bahrain last month, but Verstappen drew even at Imola just weeks later with a faultless drive in tricky wet conditions.
Mercedes has repeatedly stated that it faces a performance deficit to Red Bull's high-rake RB16B in 2021, something the Austrian brand insists is a clever tactic to put it under pressure.
The two F1 teams are again expected to be in a class of their own at the Algarve circuit, and how their battle pans out will provide a better indication of the pecking order at the front of the field.
Meanwhile, McLaren could once again threaten the top guns for a podium finish, judging by the pace Lando Norris showed at Imola in the Mercedes-powered MCL35M. Red Bull's sister team AlphaTauri and Ferrari could be in for a strong points haul at Portimao too.
2020 marked Portugal's return to the F1 calendar for the first time in 24 year, and the promoters have managed to ink a deal for a second grand prix in as many years.
Last year's event saw Hamilton claim his 92nd race victory, surpassing Michael Schumacher's long-standing of most grand prix wins by a single driver.
2021 Formula 1 Portuguese session timings in different timezones
| Session | GMT | BST | CEST | ET | PT | AEST | JST | IST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FP1 | 10:30 | 11:30 | 12:30 | 06:30 | 03:30 | 20:30 | 19:30 | 16:00 |
| FP2 | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 | 00:00* | 23:00 | 19:30 |
| FP3 | 11:00 | 12:00 | 13:00 | 07:00 | 04:00 | 21:00 | 20:00 | 16:30 |
| Qualifying | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 | 00:00* | 23:00 | 19:30 |
| Race | 14:00 | 15:00 | 16:00 | 10:00 | 07:00 | 00:00* | 23:00 | 19:30 |
*+1 day
2021 Formula 1 Portuguese session timings in the UK/Portugal
Friday 30th April 2021
- Free Practice 1: 11:30 - 12:30 BST
- Free Practice 2: 15:00 - 16:00 BST
Saturday 1st May 2021
- Free Practice 3: 12:00 - 13:00 BST
- Qualifying: 15:00 - 16:00 BST
Sunday 2nd May 2021
- Race: 15:00 - 17:00 BST
2021 Formula 1 Portuguese session timings in Europe
Friday 30th April 2021
- Free Practice 1: 12:30 - 13:30 CEST
- Free Practice 2: 16:00 - 17:00 CEST
Saturday 1st May 2021
- Free Practice 3: 13:00 - 14:00 CEST
- Qualifying: 16:00 - 17:00 CEST
Sunday 2nd May 2021
- Race: 16:00 - 18:00 CEST
2021 Formula 1 Portuguese GP session timings in the US
Friday 30th April 2021
- Free Practice 1: 06:30 - 07:30 ET / 03:30 - 04:30 PT
- Free Practice 2: 10:00 - 11:00 ET / 07:00 - 08:00 PT
Saturday 1st May 2021
- Free Practice 3: 07:00 - 08:00 ET / 04:00 - 05:00 PT
- Qualifying: 10:00 - 11:00 ET / 07:00 - 08:00 PT
Sunday 2nd May 2021
- Race: 10:00 - 12:00 PT / 07:00 - 09:00 PT
2021 Formula 1 Portuguese GP session timings in Australia
Friday 30th April 2021
- Free Practice 1: 20:30 - 21:30 AEST
Saturday 1st May 2021
- Free Practice 2: 00:00 - 01:00 AEST
- Free Practice 3: 21:00 - 22:00 AEST
Sunday 2nd May 2021
- Qualifying: 00:00 - 01:00 AEST
Monday 3rd May 2021
- Race: 00:00 - 02:00 AEST
2021 Formula 1 Portuguese GP session timings in Japan
Friday 30th April 2021
- Free Practice 1: 19:30 - 20:30 JST
- Free Practice 2: 23:00 - 00:00 JST
Saturday 1st May 2021
- Free Practice 3: 20:00 - 21:00 JST
- Qualifying: 23:00 - 00:00 JST
Sunday 2nd May 2021
- Race: 23:00 - 01:00 JST
2021 Formula 1 Portuguese session timings in India
Friday 30th April 2021
- Free Practice 1: 16:00 - 17:00 IST
- Free Practice 2: 19:30 - 20:30 IST
Saturday 1st May 2021
- Free Practice 3: 16:30 - 17:30 IST
- Qualifying: 19:30 - 20:30 IST
Sunday 2nd May 2021
- Race: 19:30 - 21:30 IST
Can’t find your country or region in the list? Check the Formula 1 schedule page for the broadcast times in your local timezone.
Pirelli tyre allocation for the Portuguese Grand Prix
For Portimao, Pirelli is bringing the three hardest compounds from its F1 tyre range - C1, C2 and C3.
Related video
Previous article
Alonso: Harder to improvise in F1 than in WEC and IndyCar
Next article
How in-form Norris is staking his claim as Britain's next F1 champion
The F1 figures Red Bull and Mercedes can't afford to see again
OPINION: An interloper squad got amongst the title contenders during Formula 1’s street-circuit mini-break, where Red Bull left with the points lead in both championships. But, as the campaign heads back to purpose-built venues once again, how the drivers of the two top teams compare in one crucial area will be a major factor in deciding which squad stays in or retakes the top spot
Why Alfa's boss is up to the task of securing a stronger F1 future
Two tenth places in recent races have lifted Alfa Romeo to the head of Formula 1's 'Class C' battle in 2021, but longer-term the Swiss-based squad has far loftier ambitions. With the new 2022 rules set to level out the playing field, team boss Frederic Vasseur has good reason to be optimistic, as he explained to Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview
How Barnard's revolutionary McLaren transformed F1 car construction
The MP4/1 was pioneering by choice, but a McLaren by chance. STUART CODLING relates the tangled (carbon fibre) weaves which led to the creation of one of motor racing’s defining cars
Why the end is nigh for F1’s most dependable design tool
Wind tunnel work forms the bedrock of aerodynamic development in Formula 1. But as Pat Symonds explains, advances in virtual research are signalling the end of these expensive and complicated relics.
Why Mosley’s legacy amounts to far more than tabloid rumour
The newspapers, naturally, lingered over Max Mosley’s tainted family history and niche sexual practices. But this is to trivialise the legacy of a big beast of motor racing politics. Stuart Codling weighs the life of a man whose work for safety on both road and track has saved hundreds of thousands of lives, but whose penchant for cruelty remains problematic and polarising.
Why pragmatic Perez isn't fazed by no-nonsense Red Bull F1 culture
Sergio Perez has spent most of his career labouring in Formula 1’s midfield, wondering whether he’d ever get another shot at the big time. Red Bull has handed him that chance and, although life at the top is tough, the Baku winner is doing all the right things to get on terms with Max Verstappen, says BEN ANDERSON
What the data tells us about the F1 2021 title fight
Formula 1 has been tracking car performance using timing loops mounted every 200m around each circuit – to the extent that it was able to anticipate Ferrari’s 'surprise’ pole in Monaco. PAT SYMONDS explains what this means for this season and beyond
The weighty issue F1 needs to find a balance with
OPINION: After consecutive street races with contrasting highlights, one theme stood out which has become a prevalent issue with modern Formula 1 cars. But is there a way to solve it or, at least, reach a happy middle ground to help all parties?
