Formula 1 has cancelled the VC Emilia Romagna. Major floods hit the whole region and claimed human lives

Formula 1 is taking the perfectly understandable step of cancelling the upcoming Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. The reason for this is the floods that have hit the entire region. The queen of motorsport has not yet set a replacement date.

Formula 1 is cancelling its sixth event of the season, the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, following communication with the FIA President and the relevant authorities, the Mayor of the town, the President of the Italian Automobile Club and the promoter.

This is due to the severe flooding that has affected not only Imola, where the circuit itself is located, but the entire Emilia-Romagna region. Since Tuesday, it has been raining heavily in this area and due to the numerous rainfalls, the Santerno river, which is located next to the circuit, has spilled out of its bed.

The F2 paddock was flooded, as well as the area where the staff responsible for the television coverage of virtually the entire race weekend are based.

The postponed race was already being considered in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The town of Faenza, ten kilometres from the circuit, is also flooded. At midday, the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Matteo Salvini, called for the postponement of the Grand Prix, whereupon F1 complied.

Official F1 statement

“The decision has been taken because it is not possible to hold the race safely for our fans, our teams and our staff. And it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation facing the cities in the region. It would not be right to put further pressure on local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time, ” F1 said in an official statement.

“It is a great tragedy to see what is happening now in Imola and the whole region of Emilia-Romagna. In the town where I grew up. My thoughts and prayers are with the flood victims and the affected families and communities,” F1 President Stefano Domenicali said in a statement.

“I want to express my gratitude and admiration to the incredible emergency services that are working tirelessly to help those in need and to alleviate the situation. They are heroes and all of Italy is proud of them,” he added.

Although the race circuit itself has not yet been affected and the rainfall is expected to subside in the coming days, F1 has cancelled the Imola race due to other significant factors.

The floods have closed the roads leading to the circuit, so a visit to the circuit would have been an unnecessary safety risk for fans.

In addition, the infrastructure was damaged not only in the vicinity of the circuit. It is morally and ethically right not to burden the emergency services, which currently have more than enough to do. Formula One has not yet set any alternative dates. However, given the packed calendar, it is likely that we will unfortunately not see a race in Imola this year.

Sources