Formula 1 has confirmed that the 2023 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix has been cancelled due to the weather circumstances in the local area.
Adverse weather conditions have hit the region in recent weeks, with a red alert weather warning in place this week.
On Tuesday, the F1 paddock at Imola was evacuated as a safety precaution amid the threat of floods.
And on Wednesday, the series confirmed the news that the upcoming race weekend has been called off.
“The Formula 1 community wants to send its thoughts to the people and communities affected by the recent events in the Emilia-Romagna region,” read a statement.
“We also want to pay tribute to the work of the emergency services who are doing everything they can to help those in need.
“Following discussions between Formula 1, the President of the FIA, the competent authorities including the relevant Ministers, the President of the Automobile Club of Italy, the President of Emilia Romagna Region, the Mayor of the City and the promoter the decision has been taken not to proceed with the Grand Prix weekend in Imola.
“The decision has been taken because it is not possible to safely hold the event for our fans, the teams and our personnel and it is the right and responsible thing to do given the situation faced by the towns and cities in the region.
“It would not be right to put further pressure on the local authorities and emergency services at this difficult time.
Three fatalities have been reported in the Cesena district, which is located in the heart of the Emilia Romagna region, while thousands of people have been evacuated from their homes.
The conditions are set to continue for the coming weeks, with Cesena’s mayor Enzo Lattuca suggesting that the weather could last “until the end of May”.
It marks the first time that F1 has cancelled a race on the eve of the weekend since Australia 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic took hold.
F1 will return to action next week, with the Monaco Grand Prix now fixtured to be the sixth round of the campaign.
