EA and Codemasters announced the upcoming return of Portimao to the F1 games in the form of an F1 22 Portimao DLC which is arriving with Patch 1.07.
Image credit: Codemasters / EA
Despite the fact that it is no longer on the Formula One calendar, Portimao is coming back to the F1 game franchise with F1 22. Codemasters revealed yesterday that the popular circuit, which played host to the Portuguese Grand Prix in 2020 and 2021, will be added on Tuesday, 2 August.
F1 22 Portimao DLC is On the Way
After it was added into F1 2021, Portimão quickly became one of the most popular tracks in the F1 games. Set in the undulating landscape of the Algarve region of southern Portugal, the circuit sometimes feels more like a rollercoaster than a racetrack. A long main straight, coupled with wide, sweeping corners mean that wheel to wheel action abounds.
However, after the circuit was removed from the real life F1 calendar for the 2022 season, it seemed that it would not make an appearance in F1 22. When the game released, it did so without Portimão, among other circuits which were not to play a part in the 2022 season.
Now, Codemasters have revealed in an announcement trailer that the Portuguese Grand Prix will arrive in F1 22 on 2 August. What’s more, the update comes free of charge – which may go some way to assuaging certain concerns about EA’s takeover.
Shanghai To Return, More to Come?
Beyond just announcing the return of Portimão, EA and Codemasters also revealed that they will add Shanghai to F1 22 on 12 September. The site of the Chinese Grand Prix had been in every Codemasters F1 game until F1 22. However, the absence of the circuit in F1 due to the pandemic led to its removal from the series. Soon, though, it will make its return.
While no further DLC circuits have been announced, the additions of Portimão and Shanghai will raise hopes for more. Tracks such as Istanbul Park in Turkey and Mugello in Italy could be soon to follow, as they also featured recently on the F1 calendar. Beyond that, there are even hopes for circuits such as Sepang, which last held a Grand Prix in 2017, to return. Such a move would certainly go down well with the public.
Are you excited to see Portimao back in the F1 games? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
