After heavy rainfall, there are sometimes dramatic floods in the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna and the Marche. © Uncredited/LaPresse/AP/dpa
The European start of Formula 1 in Imola is cancelled. The consequences of the severe storms force the organizers to cancel.
Imola - Due to heavy rainfall and flooding, the Formula 1 race in Imola scheduled for Sunday has been cancelled. It is not safe to hold the Grand Prix in Italy under the current circumstances, the racing series announced.
"It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and security forces in these difficult times," it said after consultations between the Formula 1 top and the responsible ministries, the regional administration and the Italian motorsport federation.
In the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, where the Imola circuit is located, heavy rainfall has been falling for days. The paddock at the racetrack was already cleared on Tuesday for safety reasons because a nearby river threatened to overflow. Also on Wednesday, no Formula 1 personnel were allowed to work on the circuit. Preparations for the sixth round of the season were already considerably delayed.
The Grand Prix at Imola has been cancelled. © Hasan Bratic/dpa
Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini had already called for the cancellation of the Formula 1 race in view of the situation. As Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, he spoke with the authorities and organizers of the Grand Prix, according to ministry sources on Wednesday.
Overload feared
These days, all forces must be devoted to the fight against the storms and the floods, said Salvini of the right-wing populist Lega. In addition, it should be avoided that there is an overload in the affected areas due to the many visitors and cars.
The area on the Adriatic coast has been hit by severe storms since Tuesday. At least five people were killed, as Italy's Minister of Civil Protection, Nello Musumeci, confirmed on Wednesday. The search for a missing person continues.
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Formula 1 and the teams expressed their condolences to those affected by the storms. The racing factories of the Ferrari and Alpha Tauri teams are also close to the circuit. Dpa
