Imola Cancelled

[cosworth151]

F1 has cancelled this weekend's race at Imola. This is due to the severe flooding in the region. I also wonder if last season's debacle at spa might have played a part in the decision.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the Emilia Romagna region.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-update-on-the-emilia-romagna-grand-prix-at-imola.14xk8GLh2Lr8wBGdJqhxnO.html

[Jericoke]

Safety comes first.  If there are factors beyond your control, cancel the race.

Kudos for everyone involved realizing it's not some sort of insult, or that the show must go on to 'send a message'.  The message is: other things are more important.

Hopefully the people, and wildlife, in the region will be fine once all is said and done.

[Alianora La Canta]

It was the right thing to do, but F1 did not exactly get a choice here.

The Emilia-Romagna area had a red alert since Tuesday. This bans all non-essential travel. When the F1 crews that bothered to go to Imola (I think Ferrari had read the news and stayed put), they got partway through set-up before the authorities booted them out. Partly, this was due to the red alert (setting up the paddock is not considered essential for flood safety purposes) - and partly the river bordering the paddock was one of the 14 rivers about to burst its banks. A drone photo next afternoon showed the water up to the wheel arches of the Pirelli lorries (which had not left, although I think from the photos Pirelli had otherwise packed up).

However, credit to Yuki Tsunoda for helping to mop up the area around his hotel. That earns brownie points from me.