The possibility of a rainy race weekend is often a source of excitement within F1. The Emilia Romagna GP had promised such action as a thrilling start to a triple header. However, the conditions are worsening, as images of severe floods in the area take over social media; forcing F1 to host an emergency meeting regarding the Imola GP in response.
Earlier, F1 personnel were asked to evacuate the paddock, while hotels around the circuit were also emptied out. The weather has been treacherous, causing a nearby river to flood the area. Reports suggest that all roads and F1 staff are prohibited from going to the circuit.
Italian team, AlphaTauri also released a statement highlighting the true extent of the situation on the ground.
Considering the dangerous situation, F1 bosses are holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the possibility of canceling the race weekend. Flood and landslide warnings issued by the Italian authorities wouldn’t help anyone arguing otherwise. The Telegraph reports that “high-level discussions” are taking place which will decide the fate of the Grand Prix weekend.
FIA on the other hand, has taken the situation into consideration and will consider rescheduling the event. Regardless, a decision would have to be made quickly, as 120,000 fans and additional F1 personnel in the region depend on it.
Scary imagery prefaces Imola GP
There have been two fatalities in the region owing to the dangerous flooding that has taken place. Should F1 decide to go ahead with the event, they will be up for fierce scrutiny, as the images going viral on social media only paint a glum picture.
With fans concerned about the safety of the people in the area, racing only comes second on the priority list. A fan tweeted: “Seeing how the region is, the GP should not be celebrated with what it implies for all the people who have to move, the destruction that is taking place and the humanitarian crisis. F1 will make a decision today.” [translated]
Concerning videos of flooded roads in the Italian region have raised concerns within the F1 community. Thus, fans rally for the cancellation of the race.
The scenes of the F2 paddock don’t provide any hope for the possibility of a race in Imola.
Thus, as the situation worsens in the region, the hope is that F1 authorities make a wise decision. As the clock ticks on the results from this emergency meeting, one can anticipate that all aspects of driver safety and the safety of those in the grandstands are being considered.
