ELMS 4 Hours of Portimão 2026 | Schedule & Sessions | MotorSportRadar

European Le Mans Series - 4 Hours of Portimão

Dunlaing Watches
Event Start

4 Hours of Portimão

Dunlaing Watches
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8 - 10 Oct

Algarve International Circuit (Portimão)

Algarve International Circuit (Portimão)

Some session times for ELMS 4 Hours of Portimão 2026 have not yet been finalised, they represent possible times in which each race session could occur. Please check back later for more accurate times.

Free Practice 1*
03:00 - Thu, 8 Oct
Free Practice 2*
02:00 - Fri, 9 Oct
Qualifying – LMP2*
07:00 - Fri, 9 Oct
Qualifying – LMP3*
07:30 - Fri, 9 Oct
Qualifying – LMGT3*
08:00 - Fri, 9 Oct
Race*
04:00 - Sat, 10 Oct

Where To Watch ELMS

Where To Watch ELMS
Eurosport Player Max Live ELMS coverage across Europe via Eurosport Player Max on the 2026 Barcelona where-to-watch guide.
Shift TV Delayed-as-live ELMS coverage in Bulgaria and Greece on the 2026 Barcelona where-to-watch guide.
GP1 Croatian ELMS broadcaster on the 2026 Barcelona where-to-watch guide.
NordVPN
Stream ELMS securely from anywhere with NordVPN Traveling abroad or using public Wi-Fi? Protect your connection and access your usual coverage more securely.

Upcoming in ELMS

Upcoming in ELMS
4 Hours of Le Castellet
1 - 3 May
4 Hours of Imola
3 - 5 Jul
4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps
21 - 23 Aug
View More

Upcoming at Algarve International Circuit (Portimão)

Upcoming at Algarve International Circuit (Portimão)
Portuguese Grand Prix
Moto-3
13 - 22 Nov
Portuguese Grand Prix
Moto-2
13 - 22 Nov
Portuguese Grand Prix
MotoGP
13 - 15 Nov

Track Info

Algarve International Circuit (Portimão) - Portimão, Portugal

Modern permanent circuit in the Algarve hills - clockwise - rollercoaster elevation with blind crests, big compressions and a flat-out final corner

First Race
2008
Opened October 2008 and debuted with WorldSBK’s season finale on November 2, 2008.
Circuit Length
4.653 km
2.891 miles - Grand Prix circuit used by F1, WEC and ELMS.
Turns
15
Signature corners include Turn 1, the downhill T5 hairpin, the plunging T8-T9 complex and T15 Galp.
Lap Record (Race)
1:18.750 - Lewis Hamilton (F1), 2020
Fastest official race lap on the 4.653 km layout during the Portuguese GP.
MotoGP Race Lap
1:38.685 - Enea Bastianini (MotoGP), 2024
Set on the FIM bike layout (also 15 turns; 4.592 km).

When was the track built?

Conceived as a multi-discipline hub with a kart track, technology park and hotel, Portimão broke ground in February 2008 and opened in October 2008. Within weeks it hosted the WorldSBK finale, and it has since welcomed Formula 1 (2020, 2021), MotoGP (2020–present), ELMS and the FIA WEC.

When was its first race?

The circuit’s first race weekend on the new asphalt came in November 2008 with World Superbike’s season finale, establishing Portimão’s reputation as a “rollercoaster” from day one.

What's the circuit like?

  • Undulations define it: Big drops into T5 and the plunging run through the middle sector make braking points breathe and reward cars with strong platform control.
  • Blind-crest commitment: Turns like T8-T9 demand faith and a planted front end; miss a crest by a meter and you’re late everywhere.
  • Slipstream and launch: The final right-hander, Galp (T15), is flat for top machinery; exits here set up passes into the heavy-braking T1.
  • Strategy themes: Degradation can spike on the loaded right-handers. Undercuts work if you rejoin clear of traffic before the T5/T6 complex compresses the pack.
  • Benchmark pace: F1 race lap record 1:18.750 (Hamilton, 2020). WEC Hypercar race fastest laps are typically low 1:32s.

Lap records and benchmarks (by series)

  • Formula 1 - race lap: 1:18.750 - Lewis Hamilton, 2020 Portuguese GP. Pole (2020): 1:16.652 - Valtteri Bottas.
  • MotoGP - race lap (motorcycle layout): 1:38.685 - Enea Bastianini, 2024.
  • WEC Hypercar - race fastest lap (2023): 1:32.135 - Mike Conway, Toyota GR010.
  • ELMS/LMP2 - race lap reference: 1:29.670 - Mikkel Jensen, 2020 4 Hours of Portimão.

Why go?

A proper driver’s circuit with Algarve sunshine, amphitheater hillsides and constant action. The elevation swings make mistakes visible to the naked eye, and the Galp-to-T1 run produces real racing in everything from GT3 to F1 and MotoGP.

Where's the best place to watch?

  • T1 grandstands: Starts, restarts and the heaviest braking after the high-speed launch out of Galp.
  • T5 hairpin (downhill): Classic divebombs after the plunge, plus traction fights on exit up the hill.
  • Mid-sector hills (T8–T9): See the blind-crest commitment and how small errors snowball.
  • Final corner - Galp (T15): Watch cars and bikes flirting with flat-out before the draft to the line.

Not just F1: headline series in Portimão

MotoGP - Portuguese GP: Season-opener in recent years on the 15 turn bike layout.

FIA WEC - 6 Hours of Portimão: Hypercars and LMP2s showcase multi-class strategy over the crests.

ELMS & GT3: European Le Mans Series and GT World Challenge-style events bring deep grids and plenty of T1 drama.

Hotels & Accommodation

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