Why has Formula 1 cancelled the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix in Italy?
Race fans will be disappointed to learn that the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled. Yet, is there any other option when it comes to safety?
The conditions in northern Italy have now caused serious concern, such that there is no possible way a race could be staged. Yet, at this point it’s not about the event as much as it’s about the damage and destruction that has occurred in the region.
Formula 1 cancels Italian Grand Prix
According to an announcement from Formula One, this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola has been cancelled due to extreme weather conditions and flooding throughout the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. The race would have been the sixth of the 2023 F1 season and the tour’s first stop in Europe. The disappointing news comes just one day after the Imola circuit was forced to evacuate on Tuesday, due to the extremely high water levels of the Santerno river, which actually flooded parts of the track. F1 took the decision after discussions with both race officials and local authorities.
“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 thing and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region,” read an F1 statement. “It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.”
F1′s Stefano Domenicali speaks about the Imola situation
Speaking about his hometown, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali couldn’t hide his sadness about the current situation in the region. Indeed, he made it clear that this is about much more than the cancellation of a Formula 1 event, but rather people’s lives and livelihoods.
“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,” Domenicali said. “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.”
There has been no official word on whether the event will be rescheduled for a later date, however, this marks the second race to be cancelled for the season, with the Chinese Grand Prix having been axed from the calendar for the fourth consecutive year due to continued concerns about covid-19 in the country.