ČTK, rav
Updated 8 minutes ago
The Emilie Romagna Formula 1 Grand Prix will not take place this weekend. The sixth edition of the World Cup was canceled due to flooding in northeastern Italy.
“It is not possible to organize the event safely for the fans, teams and our staff. It is a correct and responsible decision given the situation with which the municipalities and cities in the region are facing,” reads a statement from the F1 management on Twitter.
For the current head of the series, Stefan Domenicali, it is a personal tragedy. “It is a great tragedy to see what has happened to Imola and the entire region of Emilia Romagna. It is the region where I grew up and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the flood and the affected families and communities,” he said.
“I want to express my gratitude and admiration for the incredibly selfless law enforcement agencies who work tirelessly to help those in need and to alleviate the situation. They are heroes and all of Italy is proud of them. The decision that was made is the right one for everyone in local communities and for the Formula 1 family, because we need to ensure safety and not create an additional burden for the authorities while they deal with this very terrible situation,” Domenicali added.
The floods have already claimed five lives and the authorities have evacuated around 5,000 people from the affected areas.
F1 staff had to leave the Imola circuit during preparations for the Grand Prix on Tuesday afternoon as the level of the nearby Santerno river rose after heavy rain. Some roads near the circuit were closed and parking lots were flooded.
The paddock for Formula 2 participants, in which the Czech driver Roman Staněk starts, was flooded. Formula 1 teams have been instructed not to go to Imola for now. The program was supposed to start traditionally with Friday training sessions.
Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini called for the postponement of the race today, who said in an interview with the Sky Italia television station that all efforts should be directed to helping the affected areas. He also wanted to prevent traffic congestion in the region.
“24 villages are flooded, unfortunately all streams in Emilia Romagna have overflowed,” said Civil Protection Minister Nello Musumeci.
Apart from the covid restrictions, the Grand Prix in Bahrain was last canceled in 2011. At that time, a wave of bloody riots was going on in the country and rescuers were busy with the victims of clashes during the demonstrations.
The F1 championship continues next week with the Monaco Grand Prix.
