Emilia Romagna Grand Prix cancelled due to severe flooding as F1 president addresses ‘tragedy’ in northern Italy

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola has been cancelled following extensive flooding and torrential rainfall across northern Italy.

The unprecedented situation meant staff were forced to leave the track on Tuesday and the highest red-weather warning has been issued for the area.

The Santerno river next to the circuit is at an exceptionally high level, and more rain fell on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

F1 officials, those from the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, and regional authorities met on Wednesday morning to discuss the best way forward.

F1 president and chief executive officer Stefano Domenicali said: “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.”

The statement issued on Wednesday said: “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.”

Had it not been for the adverse weather, teams would have spent Wednesday finalising their plans for the race ahead of carrying out media commitments on Thursday.

Parts of the track have been submerged in water, and parts of the support paddock now appear to have been flooded.

There was growing optimism that the race would go ahead as planned this weekend due to an improving weather forecast from Thursday, but the damage has already been done.

The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the first scheduled race to take place in Europe this weekend, ahead of races in Monaco and Spain in the next two weeks.

There were plans to include a record 23 races in 2023, but this means it will now be reduced back to 22 – the same as last year.