2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Cancelled On Safety Grounds

May 17, 2023 James Gregory Formula One, Formula Three, Formula Two 4

(Image credit: Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled on safety grounds due to dangerous weather conditions at Imola.

With torrential rainfall and flooding having impacted the Emilia Romagna region of Italy in recent weeks and the region currently under a red weather alert, F1 personnel were forced to evacuate Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari yesterday (16 May) due to a serious flood risk.

Teams subsquently weren’t allowed re-entry to the circuit today and the race weekend was ultimately cancelled, following dicussions between F1, FIA, local authorities, Automobile Club of Italy, President of Emilia-Romagna Region, local Mayor of Imola and race promoters.

The race weekend was scheduled to commence on Friday 19 May and conclude on Sunday 21 May.

In a statement confirming the cancellation of this year’s Emilia Romagna GP, F1 said: ‘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.

‘The decision has 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.

‘It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.’

F1 President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali added that the brutal weather conditions battering Imola and Emilia-Romagna is “a tragedy”, as he said that his “thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flooding and the families and communities affected.”

Domenicali proceeded to pay tribute to emergency workers as he continued: “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.”

On the decision to cancel the race, Domenicali added: “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.”

FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem echoed Domenicali’s sentiments about thoughts being with those impacted “by the terrible situation in the Emilia Romagna region.”

Ben Sulayem also iterated that the safety of the community is more important than F1, F2 and F3 going racing at Imola this weekend, as he concluded: “The safety of everyone involved and recovery efforts are the top priority at this time.”

 

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F1’s early decision to cancel the race was welcomed by several drivers across not just F1 but F2 and F3, with Grand Prix Drivers Assocation’s Director and current Mercedes driver, George Russell issuing the following tweet:

Several other F1 drivers soon followed suit, including reigning champion and two-time Emilia Romagna GP winner, Max Verstappen.

F3 driver, Zak O’Sullivan meanwhile headed a selection of junior drivers who were set to participate in support series, who supported the decision to cancel the weekend’s action.

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