The 2023 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix has been called off due to flooding at Imola. Heavy rain in the area forced Formula 1 personnel to be asked to leave the paddock on Tuesday, with race officials confirming the cancellation on Wednesday. Italian authorities had issued flood and landslide warnings as the rising level of water in the Santerno river, which runs close to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, threatened the circuit. While the paddock remained free from flooding on Wednesday morning, car parks and other areas nearby have been caught in the deluge as F1 staff were advised not to travel to Imola. And with heavy rain not expected to cease until Thursday, organisers were left with no choice but to call off the sixth race of the season. At least three people in the region of Emilia-Romagna have been killed in the flooding, with more than 5,000 evacuated from their homes. Ferrari said in a statement: "Our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of Emilia-Romagna and Marche as they deal with the destruction caused by the heavy rain and flooding currently affecting the area." After Max Verstappen’s dominant win in Miami, F1 season is now set to continue with the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend. Read More When is the next F1 race of the season? Red Bull chief takes swipe at Mercedes for trying to poach lead designer ‘Best driver in the world’ needs more than just a Formula One title, claims rival championship boss

2023-05-17 19:54

Will Emilia Romagna Grand Prix be rescheduled?

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled, and sources close to Formula One state that, amid the packed 2023 calendar, it is unlikely the race will be rescheduled this year. F1 staff were told to stay away from the race circuit in the build up to the race, with the struggling area struggling to cope with the weather and rain forecast to continue. The surrounding region has been badly affected by torrential rain in the lead up to the Grand Prix, which saw the paddock at the circuit evacuated on Tuesday because of the risk of flooding. It has caused extensive flooding, killed two people and hundreds of people had been forced to evacuate their homes earlier this month. The Imola race was due to take place at one of the busiest and most congested times in the F1 calendar. The Emilia Romagna was due to kick off the first triple-header, with races on following weekends in Monaco and Spain, in the record year of 23 races, and finding any time in schedule for the race could prove too difficult. It will be the second race cancelled this year, after the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai – due to take place on 16 April – was cancelled due to the country’s coronavirus restrictions. That left a four-week gap in the schedule, with the race cancelled for the fourth successive year. The race had not been rescheduled. Races have been cancelled before for other reasons, in 2022 F1 took a rare political standpoint and cancelled the Russian Grand Prix just days after the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Races have been cancelled before for other reasons, in 2011 the Bahrain race was cancelled after anti-government uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, called the ‘Arab Spring’ had taken hold in the country. However, rain ahead of time has not cancelled a race, although in 2021, the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa became the shortest-ever due to the weather. Half-points were awarded after a handful of laps behind the safety car, two red flags caused the race to be stopped in just the third lap. Read More Imola Grand Prix LIVE: F1 bosses explain why race cancelled F1 Imola Grand Prix cancelled Flood waters rage outside Imola Grand Prix circuit as F1 race cancelled Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in doubt due to persistent rain in northern Italy F1 title not enough to be ‘best driver in the world’: Formula E boss Max Verstappen fastest in Miami Grand Prix practice after Mercedes set surprise pace Lewis Hamilton hints at career extension: ‘Never say never’

2023-05-17 19:49