F1 cancels Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix after extreme flooding
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled after the region was hit by the second wave of extreme flooding in a month.
Three people have died, thousands have been evacuated, and weather warnings remain in place in the province of northern Italy after flooding continued to worsen on Tuesday.
Formula 1 issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the decision to cancel the grand prix.
“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 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.”
“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 responsible 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.”
Firemen and civil protection rescuers evacuate a woman in the nearby town of Forli. (Alessandro Serrano/AFP via Getty Images)
Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali, who is from the region, expressed his sadness at the unfolding natural disaster.
“It is such a tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and Emilia Romagna, the town and region that I grew up in and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected.”
“I want to express my gratitude and admiration for the incredible emergency services who are working tirelessly to help those who need help and alleviate the situation – they are heroes and the whole of Italy is proud on them.”
“The decision that has been taken is the right one for everyone in the local communities and the F1 family as we need to ensure safety and not create extra burden for the authorities while they deal with this very awful situation.”
Head of the Italian Civil Protection agency Fabrizia Curcio surveys the impacted areas earlier this month. (Dipartimento Protezione Civile)
The decision to cancel the grand prix followed the evacuation of the Imola circuit on Tuesday, with F1 personnel told to stay away on Wednesday as the flooding and severe weather continued.
The Grand Prix was scheduled as the sixth round of the F1 championship and was due to feature both Formula 2 and Formula 3 on the undercard.
No further information was immediately available on whether the event would be rescheduled.
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