F1 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix cancelled due to severe flooding in ltaly

Formula One has cancelled this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix due to severe flooding in northern Italy.

The paddock at Imola was flooded.

This weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Formula One Grand Prix has been cancelled due to extreme flooding in northern Italy.

The region has been inundated with heavy rain for the second time this month, causing widespread flooding in Imola and surrounding towns.

Some areas saw almost 300 millimetres of rain in just a few hours.

Local authorities have confirmed five people have died and at least two people are still missing.

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Rain is expected to continue throughout the week and into the weekend.

Faenza, home of the AlphaTauri F1 team, is one of the worst-affected towns, with parked cars completely submerged in the streets.

The F1 circuit is located near the Santerno River, which has flooded amid concerns the river’s embankments could break.

While all staff have been told to move away from the track after being evacuated, photos appear to show the track itself is mostly undamaged — but the paddock area is underwater.

The paddock at Imola was flooded. Photo: Twitter.

In a statement, F1 said: “The Formula 1 community wants to send its thoughts to the people and communities affected by the recent events in the Emilia-Romagna region.

“We also want to pay tribute to the work of the emergency services who are doing everything they can to help those in need.

“Following discussions between Formula 1, the President of the FIA, the competent authorities including the relevant Ministers, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the President of the Emilia Romagna Region, the Mayor of the City and the promoter the decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend in Imola.

A picture taken in Cesena on May 17, 2023 shows a car in a flooded supermarket area after heavy rains have caused major floodings in central Italy, where trains were stopped and schools were closed in many towns while people were asked to leave the ground floors of their homes and to avoid going out. (Photo by Alessandro SERRANO / AFP)

Firefighters in a flooded street in Faenza, where the AlphaTauri team is based. (Photo by Handout / Vigili del Fuoco / AFP)

“The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsibly thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region.

“It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.”

Australian McLaren driver Oscar Piastri wrote on social media: “My thoughts are with those affected by the floods in the Emilia-Romagna region.

“Sorry to all the fans that we won’t be able to compete, I look forward to my first race at Imola in the future. Stay safe!’

Sorry for the fans that this weekend’s race has been cancelled but the safety of everyone involved always has to come first.

Wishing all the best to everyone in the Emilia-Romagna region and surrounding areas that have been affected by these floods.

— George Russell (@GeorgeRussell63) May 17, 2023

I love racing, but the safety of everyone else is more important. Sorry to all the fans, we’ll be back Imola, stay safe 🇮🇹❤️

— Lando Norris (@LandoNorris) May 17, 2023

The situation on the ground here is sobering, to see a modern town flooded up to the first floor in places is bleak. It was only decision to be made. Sending all the best to the great people of this region.

— Alex Jacques (@AlexJacquesF1) May 17, 2023

While races in Russia and China have been cancelled in recent times, not since the 2020 Australian Grand Prix (Covid-19) and the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix (Arab Spring) has a F1 race been called off at such short notice.

The cancellation is the second of the season following China’s withdrawal from the calendar due to Covid-19 concerns and reduces the season to 22 races.

It means the F1 season will resume at the iconic Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday May 28.

It’s far from an ideal situation for F1, which had a month long break between the Australian and Azerbaijan Grands Prix.

Now it is faced with an unexpected three-week gap between races in Miami and Monaco.

The only solace is Italy will get to host a race at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in September.

Two-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen has a 14-point lead over his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez in the drivers’ championship.

With AFP