With the release of patch 1.07, F1 22 has received not only throttle response improvements, but also a new location – though regular players of the series will know the track quite well: Portimao joins the most recent Formula 1 game’s track roster for racers to enjoy.
While the update includes different under-the-hood improvements like difficulty balancing for practice programmes or stability improvements, the new track is likely the element that will grab most of the attention for the 1.07 update. Portimao can be used in Time Trial, Grand Prix and Multiplayer modes.
Although it is not part of the current World Championship calendar, the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, as it is officially known, expands the roster of circuits available in F1 22. Formula 1 does have history in southern Portugal, however: After the original 2020 calendar had been derailed by the outbreak of the COVID pandemic, Portimao made its F1 debut in late October of that year, returning in 2021 for another edition of the Portuguese Grand Prix. Both races were won by Lewis Hamilton.
Before this, F1 only went to the track once – namely for winter testing in early 2009. Prior to Portimao, the top class of single-seater racing had made Estoril its home for the Portuguese Grand Prix from 1984 to 1996.