The 2023 Emilia Romagna GP’s fixture has been disturbed by torrential rains in Imola. In the past few days, the region around the race track has experienced heavy rains and flooding. Over the past 24 hours, there have also been reports of flooding around the Imola race track.
Parts of the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari and the paddock are underwater and F1 ordered all team members to evacuate the race track yesterday until further notice.
The #F1 staff is currently being evacuated from the track❗️
The Santero river right next to the circuit is already flooding at a higher level than during the enormous rainfall at the beginning of May. And it will keep on raining at least 24 hours from now.#ImolaGP #Imola 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/Y4t2b9Jhgr
— Steffen Dietz (@sdietzf1) May 16, 2023
Reports suggest the water level in the nearby Santerno River has risen. This raises the question of whether the 2023 Emilia Romagna will go ahead as planned or if F1 cancels it.
2023 Imola GP cancelled
There was the possibility of the 2023 Emilia Romagna GP getting cancelled. The increased rain and flooding around the race track posed treacherous conditions for racing, keeping the safety of both drivers and team members in mind.
Earlier on Wednesday, the authorities made the final call. The 2023 Imola GP has been cancelled. Racing action won’t go ahead on any of the three proposed days, which was the best course of action for F1, considering the treacherous conditions in the region.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini asked F1 to postpone the race. As reported by journalist Michael Lamonato, Salvini said,
“Let’s dedicate ourselves to relief efforts.”
Will Imola be replaced or rescheduled?
The Civil Defense Department has declared a red alert for the next 2 days. The Italian authorities have also issued flood and landslide warnings across the Emilia-Romagna region for the next two days. The conditions right now pose a serious threat to drivers and personnel.
Here is the current situation in Imola. The F1 paddock and pits are okay for now. The lower areas like the F2 paddock however, are flooded with a lot of water.
Teams/media/staff have been instructed to not visit the circuit today.
[Picture via @AlbertFabrega]#F1 #ImolaGP pic.twitter.com/gNYegswdpN
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) May 17, 2023
F1 could also postpone the race for a later date, during the end of the European leg of the season. However, this is subject to the schedule and availability of the race track. All teams will also be consulted if the sport decides to postpone the race.
The fate of the 2023 Emilia-Romagna GP will be decided soon. However, F1 will be wary of not repeating a 2021 Belgian GP in the upcoming race in Imola.
The 2021 Belgian GP remains the last race to be cancelled due to rain. The race start was delayed extensively by over three hours due to heavy rain. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez even crashed on his way to the grid due to water on the track.
