Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Risk of Cancellation Due to Extreme Weather and Flooding

This weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is ​​in jeopardy due to constant heavy rains and flooding of swollen rivers, which have led to the mobilization of many ambulance and rescue workers normally assigned to the race. Some 900 people have been evacuated from flooded areas as extreme weather conditions continue in northern Italy, with some taking shelter on rooftops.

In Venice, officials are preparing to activate a movable seawall in the lagoon to protect the city from flooding caused by storm surges in May, according to the Associated Press. As a precautionary measure on Tuesday, all Imola Circuit staff and F1 officials were ordered to evacuate the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari and were told to stay off the circuit until further notice. Preparations for this weekend’s event have been suspended. According to Spanish F1 reporter Alberto Fabrega, the F1 paddock has so far escaped flooding from the rising Santero river that flows next to the circuit, but the water level at the bottom of the F2 paddock is rising at an alarming rate. Tens of thousands of race fans will be visiting the Emilia-Romagna region in the future, but due to the closure of the main roads and bridges, there are major problems in terms of logistics, not to mention parking in Imola. Even if the weather improves in the next few hours, it may not be resolved. Additionally, firefighters and rescue workers normally on duty in Imola have been deployed elsewhere to conduct rescues and interventions over several days. Discussions are currently underway between the National Crisis Office and local politicians about the situation in the region. Cancellation of the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is ​​being heavily considered as this weekend’s race is secondary to safety in the region. F1 and the race’s promoters will make every effort to make the race possible, but the final decision rests with local authorities. An update on the situation in Imola is expected at 14:00 CET today.Related: F1 Emilia Romagna GP canceled