MOTORSPORT: Italian F1 GP cancelled

Severe flooding in Italy has forced the cancellation of this weekend’s 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – the second GP to be axed in this year’s Formula 1 world championship – following discussions between F1, the FIA and event organisers.

Set for the historic Imola circuit, event preparations were hampered when team personnel were instructed to evacuate the circuit during Tuesday and Wednesday’s set-up, amid a flooding threat from the nearby Santerno River.

All told, within a 24-hour period, a total of 12 rivers burst their banks in the local area.

With emergency services stretched thin, the call to cancel the GP was made before a significant crowd converged on the venue.

“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,” said President and CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali.

“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.”

The cancellation is the second within the first seven events on the 2023 F1 schedule, following the earlier call to skip the Chinese Grand Prix due to ongoing pandemic restrictions.

The Formula 1 season is set to continue next weekend with the Monaco Grand Prix, with Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen holding a 14-point advantage over teammate Sergio Perez.

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