2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix cancelled due to floods

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled

It has been raining in Emilia Romagna since Tuesday. The river Santnerno, located right next to the circuit, reached the middle of the third stage during the night. The F2 paddock was washed out due to heavy rainfall. Houses in the area have been washed away, infrastructure has also suffered damage.

“Following discussions between Formula 1, the FIA ​​president, the relevant authorities including the relevant ministers, the president of the Italian Automobile Club, the president of the Emilia-Romagna region, the mayor of the city and the promoter, it has been decided that this weekend’s grand prix in Imola will not take place,” F1 said in a statement.

“The decision was taken because it is not possible to hold the race safely for our fans, teams and our staff and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation facing cities in the region. It would not be right to put further pressure on local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.’

F1 also paid tribute to the emergency services and expressed solidarity with all those affected by the natural disaster.

F1 has not yet indicated whether the race will be held on an alternate date.

Why was the race cancelled?

From a purely F1 point of view, the race could possibly take place – if there is no damage to the circuit that we don’t know about. In the next few days, the weather is also supposed to improve.

But tens of thousands of fans were going to the circuit and the infrastructure in the wider area is damaged or at least roads are closed. You can see how it looks near Imola in the video below. And it’s not just the fans. The F1 carousel alone has hundreds of people.

In addition, the plant requires a considerable amount of security forces that are now needed elsewhere. And it is also an ethical dimension. Floods have already claimed lives in Emilia Romagna.

May 17, 1:20 p.m

The race was cancelled. Details are being prepared…

May 17, 12:15 p.m

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Matteo Salvini called for the race to be postponed. According to him, the locals must now focus on helping the people affected by the floods.

May 17, 12:02 p.m

One more photo and confirmation that the part where the transmission people have their background was also flooded.

May 17, 11:59 am

Another view of the flooded F2 paddock.

May 17, 11:29 am

This is how it looks in Faenza. There is much debate about whether it is even “ethical” to race.

May 17, 10:45 a.m.:

We have the first consequence. According to Autosport, Ferrari will most likely postpone the deployment of the new rear suspension to Spain. Due to the weather it would be difficult to get the necessary data in Imola.

So far, it looks like it will go on the weekend. The weather is supposed to improve. However, it is possible that the weekend format will be adjusted. It is not just about the circuit itself. During the weekend, a large number of people go to the circuit, and in the wider area there are closed roads or even damage to the infrastructure.

May 17, 10:19 am

There is also flooding for the second time this month in Faenza, which is 15 km from the circuit and is home to the AlphaTauri team. The situation affected team members who had to leave their homes and sleep in the factory last night.

May 17, 9:32 am

We should get some official information at 2pm

May 17, 9:20 am

The river peaked overnight and fell below the third stage. But it’s still raining in the mountains. The F2 paddock was heated.

Even today, no one is allowed on the circuit, so it is difficult to assess the situation on the spot.

May 16, 11:50 p.m

Alpine confirms that part of the team had to leave the hotel. The rest are accommodated elsewhere. For Wednesday, it applies to all teams and staff not to go to the circuit. Santerno culminates. Rain is expected to continue overnight and on Wednesday. The situation will calm down in the afternoon.

May 16, 11:00 p.m: Alpine reportedly had to leave the hotel…

May 16, 7:50 p.m.:

The Santerno River has reached stage three.

May 16, 7:19 p.m:

First of all, of course, it’s not about F1. In some areas, houses are already flooded..

May 16, 7:05 p.m.:

The river Santerno flows right next to the circuit, the level of which rises dramatically. As recently as Tuesday morning, she was only 70 centimeters tall at the circuit. Around noon, the first degree of flood activity (2 meters) was reached, two hours later the second (2.5 meters) and it is approaching the third. You can follow the situation on the website arpae.it.

The circuit in Imola was therefore evacuated in the afternoon. It is not yet clear what effect the current situation will have on the upcoming race weekend. There could be a cancellation of the Thursday program, a change in the format of the race weekend or the cancellation of the grand prix altogether.