THIS year's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled after extreme weather in the region caused the Imola circuit to FLOOD.
The north-Italian region has taken a battering from adverse weather conditions – leaving officials no choice but to cancel Sunday's Emilia Romagna GP.
Yesterday circuit bosses evacuated the paddock due to flood risks and all staff were told to stay away from the track until further notice – but the weekend of F1 has now been officially halted.
A statement read: "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."
It continued to explain the decision had 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".
Read our Emilia Romagna Grand Prix blog below for the latest updates…
- Louis Allwood
This blog has now closed…
This blog has now been closed but you can follow all of the latest updates on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix here.
- Louis Allwood
FIA President says 'recovery efforts are the top priority at this time'
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: "My thoughts and those of the entire FIA family are with those affected by the terrible situation in the Emilia Romagna region.
"The safety of everyone involved and recovery efforts are the top priority at this time."
- Louis Allwood
In pictures: Emilia Romagna region flooded
This weekend's Emilia Romagna GP has been CANCELLED due to heavy flooding in the region.
The vast amount of rain to have fallen in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy has left part of this weekend's venue underwater.
The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari is located right next to the Santerno river.
And there is a red weather warning in place as adverse conditions continue to batter the region.
- Catherine Micallef
McLaren share their thoughts
McLaren and their drivers have shown sympathy to the people of Emilia Romagna as they agree with the decision to cancel the Grand Prix weekend.
F1 podium sitter Lando Norris said: "I love racing, but the safety of everyone else is more important. Sorry to all the fans, we’ll be back Imola, stay safe."
Meanwhile, rookie Oscar Piastri posted: "My thoughts are with those affected by the floods in the Emilia-Romagna region. Sorry to all the fans that we won’t be able to compete, I look forward to my first race at Imola in the future. Stay safe!"
- Catherine Micallef
Lewis Hamilton can't wait for next race as safety comes first
Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton understands that safety comes first and so the Grand Prix couldn't go ahead this weekend.
On his Instagram stories he said: "Hoping everyone in Emilia Romagna is able to stay safe and look out for each other right now. Thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy and the amazing emergency services working on the ground.
"I know we all understand that safety comes first. I can't wait to see you all at the next race."
- Catherine Micallef
AlphaTauri makes appeal for funds
Scuderia AlphaTauri have their factory located in Faenza in the region of Emilia Romagna.
They have appealed for followers to give donations to help those affected by the flooding and significant rainfall.
It also posted today: "Scuderia AlphaTauri is very concerned about events unfolding over the past hours in Faenza and indeed in the whole Emilia-Romagna area, with flooding and heaving rain causing considerable damage.
"The team's factory is currently unaffected and everything is being done to ensure the safety of our employees and their families. Our sympathies go out to all those affected and we continue to monitor the situation, to see what can be done to help those in need as we await further developments."
- Catherine Micallef
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix might not take place at all
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, the president of the ACI, – Automobile Club d'Italia – Angelo Sticchi Damiani, said that the Grand Prix will not take place in 2023.
Some suggested it might take place in August while Chris Medland said that the possibility of it not happening at all this year is more likely.
- Catherine Micallef
Ferrari has home GP cancelled
Scuderia Ferrari were hoping to redeem themselves on home soil this weekend after a terrible start to their 2023 campaign.
However, they will have to wait until Charles Leclerc's home race in Monaco next weekend to do so.
- Catherine Micallef
George Russell agrees 'safety of everyone involved always has to come first'
Mercedes and British driver George Russell agreed with Formula One's decision to cancel the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
He agreed that the safety of those involved is priority while he wished to those living in the region and being affected by the floods.
Mercedes was looking forward to this weekend as they were about to take the "first step" with upgrades to get on the road to challenge rivals, Red Bull.
Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin said how they've been looking into development – mostly aerodynamically – since the pre-season testing in Bahrain.
He said: "What we are going to be bringing to the track in Imola is the first step of that work. This takes quite a long time to develop in the wind tunnel, you can’t just do these things overnight.
"But the Imola package is the first step in that direction. We are hoping to bring other updates later in the year. We do hope it is quicker, we hope it is better in terms of qualifying and race pace.
"But, as I said, the key thing is not just looking to bring a lap time update. We are looking to head off in a different development direction, one that we think gives us a better chance in the long term of being able to challenge for race wins and world championships.”
- Catherine Micallef
Will the Grand Prix be rescheduled?
While Giuliano Duchessa earlier said that the Imola might be held in August, F1 journalist Chris Medland suggest otherwise.
He wrote: "The focus is on the relief effort in the region now. Calendar is packed for the rest of this year so unlikely it will be rescheduled but F1 hasn't completely ruled that out at this time. Priority was a decision on this weekend."
- Catherine Micallef
Fans in agreement
Throughout the past years, fans were frustrated with some of the FIA's decisions.
Most notably that of Spa 2021 – when fans were allowed to the track only to see a lap behind a safety car – and Suzuka 2022 – when fans were left in the rain for hours before they even got to see any action.
The FIA's decision to put safety first and cancel the Grand Prix weekend has been taken down well by most fans with many hailing the decision on Twitter.
One wrote: "The right decision. Sad for the fans who won’t be able to see f1 in person this weekend but it’s too dangerous to be in the area. My thoughts are with everyone affected."
Many more comments followed applauding the FIA and Formula 1.
- Catherine Micallef
F1 personnel advised to remain away from the paddock
Sky Sports F1 reported that Formula 1 personnel were asked not to go to the paddock on Wednesday as concerns rise over heavy rain hitting Imola this weekend.
It comes after journalist Nate Saunders reported how overnight, Alpine workers had to find a new hotel.
He tweeted last night: "Heard Alpine have had to leave Imola hotel as a precaution tonight. Don't think they're the only team. Teams/media advised not to travel to paddock tomorrow as a precaution. But too early to speculate about status of the race."
He later on added: "Clarification here: Am told bulk of the main team out there not affected yet, but handful of Alpine guys have had to look for another hotel due to weather."
- Catherine Micallef
Words from FIA Presiden Mohammed Ben Sulayem
"My thoughts and those of the entire FIA family are with those affected by the terrible situation in the Emilia Romagna region.
"The safety of everyone involved and recovery efforts are the top priority at this time.”
- Catherine Micallef
Statement from F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali
"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 of 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.”
- Catherine Micallef
Formula One announces cancellation of Grand Prix
- Catherine Micallef
BREAKING: IMOLA CANCELLED
Formula One confirmed that after discussing the situation with authorities, it has been decided that the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled.
- Catherine Micallef
Grand Prix might be hosted in August
Italian journalist Giuliano Duchessa is reporting that the talks around the paddock are that the Grand Prix may be moved to August from 4 till 6.
During this period, the FIA will be on the necessary Formula One summer break, in which no team is allowed to work on the cars or anything related to the season.
The break will only be disturbed for the three days of the Grand Prix.
- Joseph Gamp
Tens of thousands of people in region without signal or power
Civil Protection Minister Nello Musemeci said some 5,000 people had been evacuated and that around 50,000 were without electricity.
And more than 100,000 have been left without mobile phone or landline use.
- Catherine Micallef
Meeting with authorities currently taking place
It's been reported that the TV compound of the FOM has flooded too.
This includes all technology which is necessary for TV broadcasts.
Meanwhile, authorities are in talks about whether the Grand Prix is to go ahead or not.
- Joseph Gamp
Three dead and 5,000 evacuated in Emilia Romagna region
Civil Protection Minister Nello Musemeci confirmed three people had been killed and some 5,000 people evacuated.
The deputy chief of the agency, Titti Postiglione, said rescue operations for those needing emergency evacuations were particularly difficult given so many roads and routes were flooded and some cell phone service interrupted. Speaking on Sky TG24, she noted that the affected flood zone covered a broad swath of four provinces which, until the heavy rains, had been parched by a prolonged drought.
Some regional train routes remained suspended Wednesday around Bologna and Ravenna, with severe delays elsewhere, the Italian state railway said.
Premier Giorgia Meloni, who was traveling home from the G-7 meeting in Japan, said the government was monitoring the situation and was prepared to approve emergency aid.
- Joseph Gamp
Italian minister calls for race to be postponed
This weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix race in Imola should be postponed because of deadly storms in northern Italy, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini said on Wednesday.
Salvini said in a statement it was "imperative to concentrate all efforts on coping with the emergency", including avoiding a traffic overload in the area, which has been battered by bad weather in recent days.
- Joseph Gamp
Emergency services have been out helping people in need
Storms have already triggered flooding and the circuit is perilously close to the river Santerno, which is rapidly rising.
In some areas cars have been submerged by water and emergency services are out in boats to help people in need.
- Joseph Gamp
Scene from the track
Albert Fabrega, a well-known Formula 1 presenter and analyst, tweeted pics from the circuit this morning.
He wrote: "Good morning. I get these images of Imola.
"The F1 paddock and pits are ok. The lower areas like F2 are with a lot of water.
"Today staff have been prohibited from going to the circuit until they are notified."
- Joseph Gamp
In pictures: Emilia Romagna region flooded
The Emilia-Romagna region has been hit by floods after weeks of wet weather.
Sunday's Emilia Romagna GP could be in doubt.
The amount of rain to have fallen in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy has left part of the venue underwater.
- Joseph Gamp
What other measures can they take?
By Ben Hunt, F1 correspondent
The sensible option would be to make this a non-spectator event.
Cutting the risk factor of having people stuck at the track, plus it would also ease congestion allowing teams and emergency services to operate safely and effectively.
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